Welcome to Housing & Community Services ACT

Housing & Community Services ACT is a division of the Department of Disability, Housing and Community Services. The area is responsible for the provision of public housing and community services in the Territory.

The organisation allocates, manages and maintains more than 11,000 public and community housing properties. It also coordinates comprehensive support services and community participation programs for its tenants.

More broadly, Housing & Community Services ACT provides support for people who are disadvantaged or experiencing a crisis. It does this through a variety of programs, including the Supported Accommodation Assistance Program (SAAP) that assists people experiencing homelessness. If you wish to comment on the content, presentation or functionality of this web-site, please go to our feedback page.

Current Issues

ACT Homelessness Charter - A Statement of Rights

On Tuesday 29 April 2008, the Minister for Disability and Community Services Ms Katy Gallagher MLA launched the ACT Homelessness Charter to increase community, government and service recognition of the rights of Canberrans who are experiencing homelessness.

Representatives of the homelessness services sector also launched the Supported Accommodation Assistance Program Service Guarantee.

Ms Gallagher said the ACT Homelessness Charter focused broad principles while the Service Guarantee set out what people can expect from homelessness service providers and clearly defined the services and support available.

“The charter acknowledges that peole who are experiencing homelessness have the same basic human rights afforded to the entire community,” she said.

“It recognises that the right to inclusion, dignity, respect, non-discrimination, safety and freedom, are particularly important to people experiencing homelessness”.

ACT Homelessness Charter  181KB

SAAP Service Guarantee  23KB
SAAP Service Guarantee  14KB

Gallery of launch ceremony

Representatives	Maureen Sheehan	The Jumping Gateway
Winsome Willow	Dr Helen Watchirs	Ms Katy Gallagher MLA
Gerald Franks

Community Linkages Tenant Initiated Grants

The Community Linkages Program has $118,000 funding available each year for community projects that will benefit Canberra's community and public housing tenants. The Department is inviting applications from public and community housing tenants' groups for funding. Information and application forms are available by clicking here.

Housing Now

"Housing NOW" is a new initiative that allows eligible public housing applicants the opportunity to choose their new home from a range of properties ready for immediate allocation.

Occasionally, properties become available because they are not suitable for applicants next on the list with special needs. Housing NOW enables public housing applicants who are further down the list to view these properties. They can do this by lodging an Expression of Interest with Housing ACT.

More Information 57KB
More Information 51KB

Expression of Interest form 46KB
Expression of Interest form 23KB

Public Housing Reforms

Changes to public housing tenure arrangements announced by the Government in April 2007 are being progressively developed and implemented. Public Housing Reforms

Joint Champions Group

The Joint Champions Group, established in 2005, provides tenants with an opportunity to take part in and manage activities that contribute to the planning and delivery of housing services in the ACT. The Group comprises public housing tenants and Housing ACT staff and meets every six weeks to discuss a program of tenant participation activities and to represent tenants’ interests by advocating on their behalf on a range of housing issues.

The Group has a diverse membership of tenants from a range of backgrounds including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, young people, older people and people from culturally diverse backgrounds.

If you want further information or have any suggestions you want to make, you can send an e-mail to the Group at jointchampions@act.gov.au

Redevelopment of Lyons Estate

Redevelopment of Lyons Estate

ACT Ministerial Housing Consumer Forum and Housing Summit Added 15.02.06
A Consumer Forum and Housing Summit is being held to assist government to define housing priorities, promote social equity and facilitate industry and community involvement in the formulation of future strategies to meet the housing needs and aspirations of the Canberra community.

Breaking the Cycle - The ACT Homelessness Strategy

The Youth Homelessness Action Plan, and Breaking the Cycle - the ACT Homelessness Strategy, provide a policy framework to guide the Government's response to youth homelessness.

Youth Homelessness Action Plan  46KB
Youth Homelessness Action Plan   58KB
Breaking the Cycle - The ACT Homelessness Strategy

Progress on Affordable Housing in the ACT

Progress on Affordable Housing in the ACT: Report to the ACT Legislative Assembly 504KB