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
Joint media release: Timely attention to housing maintenance in Canberra welcomed
On 4 March 2026, ACT Shelter joined with Advocacy for Inclusion and ACTCOSS to respond to the ACT Ombudsman’s damning report on Housing ACT’s management of public housing repairs and maintenance.
Missing Middle Housing
Will planning laws designed to encourage more “missing middle” housing really deliver more housing affordability — and for whom? In February 2026, ACT Shelter brought together leading experts across housing policy, property law, planning, taxation and community housing to unpack the equity and affordability implications of proposed missing middle reforms. Explore the key insights, including a summary report, full recording, transcript and presentation materials.
Celebrating 50 years of Shelter
The December edition of Australia’s national homelessness publication Parity is dedicated to reflecting on what Shelter has achieved over the last five decades and looking ahead to what it will continue to strive towards. Read ACT Shelter’s contribution to this publication and find out more about the history of housing justice advocacy in the ACT.
National Rental Affordability Index November 2025
The latest Rental Affordability Index shows that, despite high average incomes, renting in the ACT remains deeply unaffordable for low-income households, students and those on income support. While headline figures suggest improvement, the reality is that many Canberrans are being priced out of secure, affordable homes. The full Snapshot highlights the depth of this crisis and its impact across different household types.
Homelessness and mental health in the ACT
To mark World Homeless Day & World Mental Health Day 2025, ACT Shelter released a factsheet highlighting the deep & growing connection between housing insecurity, homelessness & poor mental health in the ACT.
Housing Matters – Shelter Updates (e-news)
Federal Budget Update out now.
Analysis, information, updates on events and new resources.
Public housing, disability and dignity: Submission to Inquiry into Specialist Disability Accommodation and Housing ACT
ACT Shelter’s submission to the ACT Inquiry argues that the failures in SDA service delivery through Housing ACT reflect deeper structural problems in the public housing system, including chronic underinvestment, ageing housing stock and fragmented accountability. The submission calls for stronger protections and better housing outcomes for tenants with disability, alongside major reform to maintenance, accessibility and asset management systems. It also urges the ACT Government to treat public housing as essential social infrastructure and invest accordingly.
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.
Renting & Housing Network ACT
ACT Shelter manages this online forum for community sector workers who work with renters in the ACT in any capacity. It is a place to share your experiences and news, ask questions and raise issues.
Better Deal for Renters – Two Years On
Two years after National Cabinet promised a “Better Deal for Renters,” most governments have failed to deliver meaningful reforms. Millions of renters are still exposed to unfair rent hikes, arbitrary evictions and unsafe homes. Despite some progress in the ACT, more needs to be done to guarantee safe, secure and stable housing for Canberrans who rent.
ACT becomes first juristiction to make housing a human right
On 17 September 2025, the ACT passed landmark legislation, becoming the first Australian jurisdiction to enshrine in law housing as a human right. This a momentous achievement that recognises safe, secure, and affordable housing as fundamental to dignity, wellbeing, and the exercise of other human rights.
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.