Coronavirus stimulus grants lead to record building approvals but industry shortages emerging

Elly Hope was not planning for her first home to be a new build, but when the opportunity arose, she grasped it.

Ms Hope bought some land at Howrah Gardens, on Hobart’s eastern shore, early last year.

“It all happened quite quickly because I wasn’t looking for land at the time,” she said.

“But my brother-in-law mentioned to me that there was a good spot with a couple of blocks, so I had a look and I kind of fell in love with one of the blocks.”

She and partner Jordan Dunn will start building their new home within the…