Working together
for housing justice
An informed and independent voice on housing policy issues affecting the ability of people on low, moderate or no incomes to have an affordable, safe and secure home.
Working together for housing justice
An informed and independent voice on housing policy issues affecting the ability of people on low, moderate or no incomes to have an affordable, safe and secure home.
Featured
The case for mandatory coronial reporting: ending the invisbility of homelessness deaths in the ACT
People experiencing homelessness in the ACT die decades early, and their deaths go uncounted. ACT Shelter’s briefing makes the case for mandatory coronial reporting reform.
MEDIA RELEASE | System under strain: new analysis from ACT Shelter shows Canberrans stuck longer in homelessness as governments urged to act now
New analysis released by ACT Shelter shows people are spending longer in homelessness services, fewer are moving into permanent housing, and the ACT continues to record the highest rate of persistent homelessness in Australia.
Homelessness Week 2026
Explore events, resources and ways to get involved across the ACT during Homelessness Week (3-9 August) as we raise awareness, challenge misconceptions and advocate for lasting solutions to homelessness.
2026 Census: Homelessness & Housing Resources
The 2026 Census is approaching. Check out the recording and presentation slides from our recent info session with the ABS, access recources and factsheets, and find out what the homelessness sector can do to help ensure people who are homeless are counted.
ACT Shelter Budget Analysis 2026-27
ACT Shelter’s analysis of the 2026–27 ACT Budget welcomes the strongest housing investment in years while asking whether it goes far enough to address Canberra’s housing crisis. Read our assessment of the Budget’s key housing, homelessness and affordability measures.
ACT Rent Increase Calculator
ACT Shelter has developed this free online calculator to help tenants and landlords understand and apply the ACT’s rent increase laws. The calculator estimates the maximum increase permitted under the ACT’s CPI-linked formula, providing a practical resource while the ACT Government’s own calculator remains unavailable.
Housing tax reform: prioritising homes for people, not speculation
On 26 June 2026, The Federal Government’s tax reforms to limit negative gearing to new builds and restructure the CGT discount were passed – marking the most significant shift in Australia’s housing policy in a generation. Explore why these reform matter through ACT Shelter’s submissions, commentary, and links to our sector colleague’s related advocacy for a fairer tax system that drives true housing affordability.
MEDIA RELEASE | Stronger foundations, unfinished work: ACT Shelter responds to the 2026-27 ACT Budget
The 2026-27 ACT Budget marks a genuine step forward on housing, but does not match the scale of the housing crisis. ACT Shelter commends investments into growing and maintaining public housing, crisis rental support, and frontline homelessness services. However, these investments do not reverse the long-term decline in social housing, and the level of ambition and investment must continue to grow if we are to truly shift the dial on the housing crisis.
Housing Matters – Shelter Updates (e-news)
July Update out now.
Analysis, information, updates on events and new resources including our rent increase calculator.
50 years of housing justice advocacy in the ACT
2025 marked 50 years of ACT Shelter. A special event and a history.
ACT Shelter ‘surviving on reserves’ after serving Canberra’s homeless community for 50 years
In March 2026, ACT Shelter’s fifty-year legacy as the ACT’s housing justice peak – and our current perilous financial situation – featured in an ABC News story. The story included interviews with ACT Shelter’s CEO, founding members and representatives from the ACT’s housing and homelessness sector.
The realisation of the Right to Adequate Housing for all Canberrans underpins everything we do.
ACT Shelter is a not-for-profit peak housing organisation funded by the ACT Government to represent the interests of low to moderate, or no income, housing consumers and stakeholders in the ACT. We provide advocacy and strategic advice on systemic issues affecting housing consumers in the ACT. We are an informed and independent voice on housing policy issues affecting the ability of people on low, moderate or no incomes to have an affordable, safe and secure home.