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
2026 Census: Homelessness & Housing Resources
The 2026 Census is approaching. Join our free online info session with the ABS and find out how the sector can help get it right, and access Census resources for the homelessness sector.
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.
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.
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.
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 Matters – Shelter Updates (e-news)
Federal Budget Update out now.
Analysis, information, updates on events and new resources.
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.
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.
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.
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.