See below for our most recent events:
Missing Middle Housing | Celebrating 50 years of Shelter | Housing as a Human Right in the ACT | Evicted – A Modern Romance
ACT Shelter holds and supports a range of events from regular forums on a range of housing policy matters to free films and exhibitions. These are promoted via our social media and our e-newsletter list. Sign up to stay up to date with all events. 
Missing Middle Housing – the equity and affordability implications of reforms
On 13 February ACT Shelter 
hosted a webinar for over 100 participants examining how the ACT Government’s proposed missing middle housing reforms can be designed and implemented in ways that genuinely improve housing equity and affordability.
It brought together leading experts in housing policy, taxation, strata law, community housing and planning, the discussion will be practical, evidence-informed and directly relevant to the ACT Legislative Assembly inquiry into missing middle housing reforms. While focused on the ACT, the issues explored will resonate across jurisdictions nationally.
Go to the event page for more details:
- Speakers
- Presentations
- An overview report
- Transcript
Celebrating 50 Years of Housing Justice with ACT Shelter
2025 marked 50 years of ACT Shelter – and the Shelter network nationally – an important milestone that invites reflection on five decades of advocacy for housing justice in the ACT. Since 1975, ACT Shelter has been the Territory’s independent peak body for housing justice, amplifying community voices, influencing policy, and championing the right to a safe and affordable home for all Canberrans.
On 26 November, more than 75 members, current and former staff, and supporters gathered at Common Ground in Dickson to celebrate. The evening honoured the people and movements that shaped ACT Shelter’s history, and featured guest speakers, reflections from across the decades, light refreshments, and of course, a slice of our 50th birthday cake.
Shelter CEO, Corinne Dobson, opened proceedings, with Caitlin Tough MLA speaking on behalf of the ACT Government in place of Minister Yvette Berry, who was unwell. Guests also enjoyed a video montage of messages from supporters unable to attend, including ACTU President Michele O’Neil and Federal Parliamentarians David Pocock and Andrew Leigh. ABC’s Adrienne Francis led an engaging panel discussion with Evie Kollas, Ed Wensing and Cathi Moore, followed by closing remarks from National Shelter Chair John Engler, and time to reconnect and reminisce.
Shelter CEO, Corinne opened proceedings and Caitlin Tough MLA stepped in to speak on behalf of the ACT Government as Housing Minister Yvette Berry was unwell. The crowd viewed a video montage of recorded messages from people unable to attend. ABC’s Adrienne Francis facilitated a lively panel discussion with key figures from ACT Shelter’s early years and Canberra’s broader housing and social policy history, Evie Kollas, Ed Wensig and Cathi Moore. The formal proceedings wound up with kind words from National Chair Chair, John Engler, before guests mingled, reminisced, and celebrated together.
It was a wonderful event and a fitting way to mark 50 years of housing advocacy. ACT Shelter thanks everyone who supported the event, including generous sponsorship and in-kind support from CHC, Sidestage, National Shelter, and Shelter NSW.
See below to scroll through our booklet, Fifty years of housing justice advocacy in the ACT – The enduring role of ACT Shelter.
Or click here to download a copy.
Photos and videos from the event will be shared on the website in the near future.
Housing as a Human Right in the ACT
On 17 September 2025, the ACT Legislative Assembly passed landmark amendments to the ACT Human Rights Act, enshrining housing as a human right in law. The ACT is the first jurisdiction in Australia to take this step—a momentous achievement that recognises safe, secure, and affordable housing as fundamental to dignity, wellbeing, and the exercise of other human rights.
This historic reform builds on decades of advocacy by ACT Shelter, alongside many community organisations, including ACTCOSS and Canberra Community Law. Since the Human Rights Act was first enacted in 2004, ACT Shelter has worked to ensure that housing is recognised as essential to the health, safety, and opportunity of all Canberrans.
ACT Shelter are proud of the collective effort that led to this outcome. While this reform is historic, we recognise that legislation alone will not resolve the housing crisis. ACT Shelter will continue to work with government, housing providers, and the community sector to ensure that the right to housing becomes a lived reality for all Canberrans.
Earlier in 2025 and following the Bill first being introduced in April 2025, ACT Shelter undertook a range of activities to support this historic reform.
ACT Shelter Forum
On 19 May 2025, ACT Shelter members and other community stakeholders with an interest in housing joined a forum exploring the bill to enshrine the right to housing in the ACT’s Human Rights Act.
This bill was introduced in the ACT Legislative Assembly in April.
If enacted, the ACT would become the first jurisdiction in Australia to enshrine housing as a human right in legislation—an important step toward more just, equitable, and accountable housing policies.
Forum participants heard from Dr Penelope Mathew, ACT Human Rights Commissioner and President, and Ruby Lew and Rachel Clark from Canberra Community Law, who discussed what the proposed Bill entails, the potential value of incorporating the right to housing into human rights legislation, and what this could mean in practice.
Recording and Factsheet
You can watch the forum for an overview and discussion of the issues.
A Legislative Assembly inquiry into the Bill was also undertaken, and you can view submissions and the final Inquiry Report here. Our submission is also available at Publications and Resource. For an overview of the Right to Adequate Housing as expressed in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights see the factsheet produced by the Office of the Human Rights Commissioner.
The Factsheet starts by explaining what the right to adequate housing is, illustrates what it means for specific individuals and groups, and then elaborates upon States’ related obligations. It concludes with an overview of national, regional and international accountability and monitoring mechanisms.
Evicted – A Modern Romance
An Australian movie about renting presented a perfect opportunity to share stories as well as renting information.
Our movie premier event with the movie-makers and in partnership with the ANU Film Group and Legal Aid provided entertained and information. A prefect combination.
To learn more about the film – see their website.
