Released 09/11/2021
The ACT Government has today released the latest ACT Housing Strategy report card which provides a snapshot of the strategy’s progress in its third year of implementation.
Key actions of the strategy were completed this year including setting a target for affordable, community and public housing, and strengthening community services to help those who need assistance to access housing.
Minister for Housing and Suburban Development Yvette Berry said the 10-year strategy continued to deliver improved access to safe, secure, and affordable housing for Canberrans and focused on households with low to moderate incomes, and those experiencing or vulnerable to homelessness.
“We have seen more than ever over the last year and a half just how important housing is to the Canberra community,” Minister Berry said.
“Our homes became our offices, our classrooms, our gyms and our sanctuaries. It still more critical than ever that we are able to enact the strategy’s vision of encouraging and promoting a housing market that meets the diverse and changing needs of the Canberra community.
“The report card released today shows consistent progress across all goals in the strategy’s third year of implementation.
“Through actions outlined in the strategy, we are progressing a variety of initiatives, policies and programs such as an affordable community housing land tax exemption scheme, the development of an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island Community Housing Provider, and the introduction of the build-to-rent model in Canberra at Common Ground Gungahlin.
“We’ve continued to invest in specialist homelessness services for the Canberra community with $1.948 million over two years to make sure those experiencing or most at risk of homelessness have the support they need.
“The ACT Government’s commitment to public housing is a key feature of the ACT Housing Strategy to increase social housing assistance. The 2021-2022 ACT Budget saw a boost to growing, renewing and maintaining public housing with a $100m investment”
“A further $510,000 has been allocated over four years to key service providers that will help deliver services to women and children impacted by domestic and family violence, and to young pregnant women and mothers.
“As we continue to deliver the ACT Housing Strategy, we look forward to focussing on the sustained supply of social and affordable housing, improving energy efficiency standards in residential buildings, and working collaboratively with the community housing sector.”
The ACT Housing Strategy Year 3 Report Card can be viewed on the ACT Government’s Homes and Housing website.
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Yvette Berry, MLA | Media Releases