The fund is expected to help thousands of households across the ACT.
30 September 2026
In brief:
- The Housing Crisis Support Fund opened on 30 September 2026.
- Private renters experiencing severe financial stress can apply for one-off payments through the fund.
- This support is designed to help people stay in secure housing and avoid homelessness.
The ACT Government's new Housing Crisis Support Fund is now open.
The fund provides immediate cost-of-living relief through one-off payments.
These payments are available to low-income private renters who:
- are experiencing financial hardship
- are at immediate risk of losing their home.
The payments will help people stay in their homes and avoid homelessness.
Local community organisation Care Inc. will manage the fund.
How the fund will work
Canberrans experiencing severe rental stress may be eligible for:
- a one-off rental grant to cover up to four weeks rent, capped at $2,500
- a new $250 crisis support payment to help with essential household expenses.
In 2026–27, the fund also provides a $250 support payment for newly housed public housing tenants. This is to help with the cost of setting up their new home.
The fund is expected to help thousands of households across the ACT.
Part of a broader housing agenda
The Housing Crisis Support Fund was announced as part of the 2026–27 ACT Budget.
It is one of several measures designed to support Canberrans experiencing housing stress while increasing the supply of affordable housing.
This includes investment in:
- 450 additional public homes
- new affordable housing projects
- partnerships with community housing providers
- support for more than 1,000 future affordable homes.
Together, these initiatives provide immediate support while increasing the supply of affordable, community and public housing across Canberra.
Care Inc.
Care Inc. will manage the Housing Crisis Support Fund. The organisation also offers a range of free support services for Canberrans.
These include confidential financial counselling and online resources.
Read more about Care Inc. on their website.
Read more like this:
- 2026-27 ACT Budget: targeted cost of living relief
- ACT’s first Build to Rent to Buy housing project complete
- Expanding social and affordable housing in Canberra
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