The ACT Government is investing in housing to improve affordability and availability. Learn what we are doing to help people rent or buy their home.
Every Canberran should have a safe and secure place to call home.
The cost to rent or buy a home is rising across the country and many are struggling to find a home in the private rental market.
At the same time the ACT is growing rapidly. We’ve had the fastest growing population of any state or territory over the last 10 years.
By 2027 we are expecting to have 500,000 residents. This population growth is increasing demand for housing in the ACT and surrounds.
Across government we’re looking to address housing challenges by improving access to housing and increasing supply and choice.
We’re working to:
To do this we’re investing in a range of programs to create more affordable housing options and support people to access them.
Read the ACT Housing Strategy 5-Year Snapshot [PDF 3.6MB] to get an update on the significant progress that has been made since the ACT Housing Strategy was released.
As part of the 2024-25 budget, we are prioritising:
These measures will help Canberrans access housing that is right for them and their situations.
They are also part of broader package of housing initiatives designed to help ensure we have the right mix of housing options to meet the needs of our growing city, which is on track to reach 500,000 people by 2027.
The ACT Government’s 11,500 public housing dwellings represent 6.2 per cent of the ACT’s total households. That’s twice the national average.
Public housing tenants deserve to live in accommodation that is safe, secure and meets their needs.
By 2026–27 our goal is to:
The 2024-25 ACT Budget includes the release of $46 million previously provisioned to continue the delivery of the Growing and Renewing Public Housing Program.
Funding in this budget will support the continued delivery of high-quality, accessible and energy efficient homes that meet the needs of tenants now and into the future.
The Affordable Community Housing Land Tax Exemption scheme (the scheme) supports our community to access affordable housing through the private rental market.
Under the scheme eligible property owners can get a full land tax exemption.
To be eligible you must be a property owner renting your property:
There are 2 approved property management services in the ACT that can manage your property, Rentwell and HomeGround.
Visit the ACT Revenue Office website to find out how you can rent your home through the scheme.
Community Housing Providers are an important partner to us. They offer community housing as social housing or affordable rentals to people on low to moderate incomes.
Community Housing Providers may own the homes or manage them on behalf of other owners.
We support registered Community Housing providers to develop the community housing sector in the ACT.
We are working to increase the availability of rental options that:
We’re developing a pipeline of community housing land and dwellings to increase the amount of affordable housing options in Canberra. This will be offered to Community Housing providers to deliver.
We’re also working with the community housing sector on opportunities through the Commonwealth Government, such as the National Housing Accord and other initiatives.
Find out more about how we're supporting community housing growth in the Affordable Rental Prospectus [PDF 1.4 MB].
The 2024-25 ACT Budget includes an extra $20 million for the Affordable Housing Project Fund, taking the total invested in the fund to $80 million.
The fund aims to grow the supply of affordable rental properties in Canberra and strengthen the community housing sector.
The extra $20 million in funding will enable the Government to support more Build-to-Rent projects with an affordable rental component.
Six projects have already been identified for financial support under the fund, including:
In total, projects supported under the Fund are expected to deliver about 280 new affordable rental properties in Canberra.
You can submit a proposal for government help if you’re a:
Build-to-Rent is a housing model that offers housing:
The Build-to-Rent model aims to improve the rental market by delivering:
Individual dwellings in Build-to-Rent developments do not need separate unit titles. This reduces property tax through lower fixed charges. This is an important tax incentive to encourage developers to consider Build-to-Rent options.
We’re also supporting the delivery of Build-to-Rent projects with affordable rental housing on nominated sites as part of the land release program.
We have a new Planning Act and Territory Plan and introduced District Strategies.
The new planning system focuses on achieving better development outcomes for the community and the environment.
The new system will help:
The reforms include:
The ACT Government releases the Indicative Land Release Program each year with the goal to meet the housing needs of our population.
The future supply of land and development in the ACT relies on contributions not only from the ILRP but through the release of land by the Commonwealth Government and through private development opportunities.
Find land for sale on the Suburban Land Agency and City Renewal Authority websites.
Stamp duty has been cut in every ACT Budget since the beginning of the tax reform program in 2012. These stamp duty cuts target the lowest thresholds for owner-occupiers.
By cutting stamp duty we are removing a significant barrier to owning a home.
Visit the Treasury website to learn more about tax reform.
The Office of the Coordinator-General for Housing coordinates the many areas across ACT Government that intersect with housing.