Increasing housing in the ACT

Housing in the ACT

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. 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 2030 we’re expecting to have 500,000 residents. This population growth is increasing demand for housing in the ACT and surrounds.

What we’re doing

We’re looking to address housing challenges by:

• improving access to housing
• increasing supply and choice.

We’re working to:

• build connected and sustainable communities in new suburban areas
• respond to our city's changing needs
• enhance Canberra's liveability and strengthen social inclusion
• provide more housing close to jobs and public transport.

To do this, we’re investing in more affordable housing options and supporting people to access them.

Learn more about what we’re doing to increase housing in the ACT Housing Strategy.

For a progress update read the ACT Housing Strategy 5-Year Snapshot [PDF 3.6 MB].

Increasing social and affordable housing

We're investing in a range of measures to increase housing supply, access, and choice to meet the needs of our growing city.

These initiatives will help us enable 30,000 more homes. This includes 5,000 additional public, community and affordable rental homes in Canberra by the end of 2030.

Learn more in the ACT Budget.

Public housing growth, repairs and renewal

The ACT Government updates its public housing stock snapshot every 6 months.

Public housing tenants deserve to live in accommodation that is safe, secure and meets their needs.

We plan to grow public housing to 13,200 homes by the end of 2030 and continue to deliver homes that are:

• high-quality
• accessible
• energy efficient.

Homes that will meet the needs of tenants now and into the future.

Learn more about public housing in the ACT.

Affordable Housing Land Tax Exemption scheme

This 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. They can do this by delivering affordable rental housing at less than 75% market rent to eligible households in Canberra. This is done through approved community housing providers.

Learn more about the benefits of the scheme and how to apply.

Community housing growth and support

Community housing providers are an important partner to us. They offer social housing or affordable rentals to people on low to moderate incomes.

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’re working to increase the availability of rental options that:

• cost less than the market rate
• are close to services and employment opportunities.

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. This includes the National Housing Accord and other initiatives.

Find out how we're supporting community housing growth with incentives.

Affordable Housing Project Fund

The Affordable Housing Project Fund aims to:

• grow the supply of affordable rental properties in Canberra
• strengthen the community housing sector.

Build-to-Rent

Build-to-Rent is a housing model that offers housing:

• for long term rentals
• under single ownership
• with high quality common spaces and amenities for residents
• often located close to services and employment opportunities.

Build-to-Rent aims to improve the rental market by delivering:

• a large supply of long term rental properties
• purpose-built rental homes
• more housing options for ACT residents.

The Build-to-Rent model:

• provides greater housing choice for tenants
• expands access to high-quality dwellings
• provides increased rental security
• provides wider social and economic benefits
• supports tenants to be part of a community.

Learn more about investing in Build-to-Rent housing and potential tax benefits in the ACT.

Planning reforms

The ACT's planning system focuses on better development outcomes for the community and the environment.

The new system will help:

• grow low and medium density housing in existing suburbs
• allow a greater range of housing options near employment, amenities and other services.

Learn more about planning and development requirements in the ACT.

Land release

We release a program of planned land releases each year. The goal is to meet the housing needs of our population.

The annual program includes sites with requirements for affordable, public and community housing targets, including:

• Build-to-Rent affordable housing projects
• the development of community housing in the ACT.

The future supply of land and development in the ACT relies on contributions from:

• the release of land by the ACT Government
• the release of land by the Commonwealth Government
• private development opportunities.

Find out about our planned land release.

Find land for sale on the Suburban Land Agency and City Renewal Authority websites.

Tax reform

Stamp duty has been cut in every ACT Budget since the beginning of the tax reform program in 2012. Stamp duty cuts help the lowest income thresholds for owner-occupiers.

By cutting stamp duty we’re removing a significant barrier to owning a home.

Visit the Treasury website to learn more about tax reform.