Mother-of-four Tonie Adams lives in a two-bedroom unit in Devonport, in Tasmania's north, with her children, her partner Nick and his daughter — two adults, five children and a dog in one unit.

Key points: Tonie Adams says she has been applying for private rentals in Devonport, in Tasmania's north, but has had no luck

Tonie Adams says she has been applying for private rentals in Devonport, in Tasmania's north, but has had no luck There are more than 3,200 applications on the Tasmanian Government's housing register

There are more than 3,200 applications on the Tasmanian Government's housing register The Housing Minister says the Government is focused on easing the housing crisis

Ms Adams has been on the government housing waiting list for two years and is struggling to find an affordable private rental for her and her children.

The four girls take turns sleeping on a couch, with three sharing one bedroom on any given night, while the fifth child sleeps in a bed with Tonie and Nick.

"It's really difficult. We cope, and we manage," Ms Adams said.

"But I don't want to live like this.

"I have a budget of more than $250 a week, which I would happily put into a rental, or if we had government housing I would happily touch it up, paint it, whatever it takes.

"We haven't had any luck."

Tonie Adams with Lexi, Bonnie and Shakira, who share a unit with three others and dog. ( ABC News: Henry Zwartz )

Tasmanians have faced rapidly rising rents over the past 18 months, due partly to pressure from increasing tourism and the booming Airbnb market, and rising house prices.

Ms Adams has been on the waiting list for public housing since March 2017, and is also applying for private rental options in the Devonport area where her children go to school.

All of Ms Adam's applications for private rentals have been unsuccessful.

"I want my children to grow up somewhere that is safe, somewhere where they look forward to coming home. I want them to have the best possible future," Ms Adams said.

Tonie Adams wants to share her story to shed light on Tasmania's housing problem. ( ABC News: Henry Zwartz )

The ABC has spoken with several other families in the north and north-west who are struggling to find housing.

Some have resorted to couch surfing since Christmas. They did not wish to be identified, telling the ABC they felt a sense of shame and hopelessness.

Ms Adams said she was happy to be identified because she wanted to "show people how big this problem is".

"I want to share my story for others out there … I do not want my children growing up like this."

'Too many' people on housing wait list: Minister

The Productivity Commission's Report on Government Services, released on Tuesday, showed the number of community and government housing dwellings in the state fell by 195 between 2017 and 2018.

There are more than 3,200 applications on the Tasmanian Government's housing register, and government statistics show the average wait time is about 56 weeks for priority applicants.

For people like Ms Adams, who don't make it into that category, the wait can be longer.

Housing Minister Roger Jaensch said hearing of cases like Ms Adams's was a "concern" and the Government was focused on easing the housing crisis across Tasmania.

The Adams children share one bedroom on a roster basis. ( ABC News: Henry Zwartz )

"It does concern me, across the board there are people we know who are in need," he said.

"The [waiting list] figure is pretty stable at around 3,200 — [but] that is too many.

"While there have been reports of increased need and demand, that overall waiting list has remained stable, which means to me we are moving people through, particularly those in the highest priority need."

The Government said more than 1,080 households had benefitted from affordable housing solutions, including 236 new social housing dwellings as part of its 2015-2019 Affordable Housing Plan.

'I don't want to feel like a failure'

Those on the ground say systemic pressures are outpacing the State Government's efforts.

Liz Leslie, area manager for Anglicare in north-west Tasmania, said the demand for services offering accommodation assistance to people in regional areas was spiking, and that housing wasn't just a "Hobart issue".

"We have had around 1,000 people statewide applying to use Housing Connect services from July to September," she said.

"That is a very significant number of people over just a three-month period of time. The demand is definitely increasing.

"What we are also seeing is rising rents leading to growing pressures on people's ability to manage their rental payments.

Ms Adams says she knows of other families in need. ( ABC News: Hnery Zwartz )

"If someone is paying 70 or more per cent of their available money on rent, then that leaves little for other important things including basics like food."

Ms Leslie said prioritising even more affordable housing options, especially in the state's north-west, could improve the situation.

Ms Adams said she wanted the Government to do everything it could to help.

"There are people in real crisis right now," she said.