The Tasmanian housing market: update 2020-21

This report is the latest in a series prepared by the University of Tasmania to inform public debate on the Tasmanian housing crisis. The evidence in this report shows that although there was a small fall in house prices and rents during the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic, in recent months both have started to rise again, fuelled by low interest rates, increased demand for housing, the cessation of some temporary policy interventions and the introduction of housing-related economic stimulus programs. These increases in house prices and rents have exacerbated the long-standing housing problems in Tasmania, which remain entrenched due to a long-term failure to adequately invest in social housing and growing demand for affordable housing.