Types of public and community housing
We have houses, townhouses and units in suburbs across Canberra. Check what areas you can choose and how many bedrooms you may get.
Public and community housing are rental homes for people on low incomes.
Public housing is run by Housing ACT in the ACT Government. Community housing is run by community organisations.
Check if you can apply for public or community housing.
House sizes
The number of bedrooms you can get depends on the ages, gender and relationship of household members. This is called your bedroom entitlement.
You’ll find out how many bedrooms you can have after we assess your application. Usually no more than 2 people will share a bedroom.
We try to offer homes that suit your needs, such as modified housing for people with disability.
You may get more bedrooms if you can give us proof:
- you have medical needs for a live-in carer
- you have child custody arrangements
- you are a regular or ongoing foster carer for children and young people at risk.
If you have children
No more than 2 children will share a bedroom.
We do not expect children who are more than 7 years apart to share a bedroom.
Where you can live
Public housing is in suburbs across the ACT.
Community housing is in specific Canberra suburbs.
Public housing
When you apply for public housing, you cannot choose a suburb, but you can choose an area you’d like to live in.
ACT suburbs are grouped in 4 areas:
- Belconnen/Gungahlin
- City
- Tuggeranong
- Woden Valley/Weston Creek
Check the area map to choose an area you’d like to live in.
Areas you can choose to live
Some areas are more popular than others and some areas have fewer public housing homes.
We try our best to offer you a home in your preferred area, but this is not always possible. You may get a home sooner if you don’t mind where you live.
You must let us know if you change your mind while you’re on the waitlist.
Community housing
You can apply for community housing when you apply for public housing. You can choose one of these community housing options:
- Environmental Collective Housing Organisation (ECHO): for people who want to live by sustainable practices in Canberra’s inner north.
- Argyle – Kalorama Seniors Living: for people aged 55 years and above. It is next to the shopping centre in Conder.
- Tamil Senior Citizens’ Association housing: for people from all age groups and cultural backgrounds.
- Salvo’s Housing: for people aged 45 years and above. Salvo’s Housing has 23 units in Narrabundah.
- Common Ground: for people who experience homelessness often. There is a Common Ground in Gungahlin and Dickson.