STATE Labor leader Rebecca White has this week visited a couple living in the garage of a New Norfolk house after they were unable to find alternative accommodation.
Ms White, who is also one of the state Members for Lyons, said Wendy and Shane Reid had been forced to move out of their rental property. “Unfortunately they represent the plight of so many Tasmanians who are having difficulty securing affordable housing,” Ms White said after visiting the couple yesterday (Monday).
“Wendy has Multiple Sclerosis and Shane cares for her. There have been many representations made by them to the Housing Minister but after 18 months on the waiting list the government hasn’t been able to offer them a home.
“They are both exhausted. They will be moving into Wendy’s son’s garage in New Norfolk but it’s short term because the house is about to go on the market. After that it will be into their camper and tent, which is a totally unsuitable situation for a [wheelchair-user] to be facing.
Ms White said a state Labor government would prioritise housing rather than building a taxpayer-funded stadium at a cost of nearly $1 billion. “Labor will place a pause on any more whole homes being transferred from rental properties to the sharing economy and fast-track the urgent repair of 215 public houses that are currently unable to be lived in,” she said.
Picture: Wendy Reid, left, with Rebecca White MHA and Ella Haddad MHA
