Buying a Government House
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Maintenance
Older Persons Housing
Sale to Tenant
Shared Equity
Common Waiting List
Publications
Housing and Community Services Publications are listed under areas of responsibility:- Housing and Community Services
- Housing ACT Fact Sheets
- Housing Assistance Program Operational Guidelines
- Research
- Cornerstone of the Capital
- Forms
- Newsletters
- Other information
Tenant Responsible Maintenance Charges for Vacant and Tenanted Properties
In response to issues raised by Housing ACT's Joint Champions Group, Housing ACT have made available for tenants indicative costs for common Tenant Responsible Maintenance charges when vacating properties and at tenanted properties.This provides tenants the opportunity to compare prices for maintenance services and engage alternative contractors for repairs that are often carried out by the Total Facility Manager and considered a tenant responsibility.
Most Common TRM costs at Tenanted Properties:
Most Common TRM costs at Tenanted Properties [PDF 71KB] [RTF 63KB]
Most Common TRM costs at Vacant Properties:
Most Common TRM costs at Vacant Properties [PDF 71KB] [RTF 63KB]
Shared Equity Scheme
The Shared Equity Scheme is an alternative home purchase opportunity for social housing tenants. The Scheme began operating in May 2010 and has been made possible through a partnership between Housing ACT and IMB Limited.The Scheme provides for eligible head tenants to purchase 70% of their Housing ACT property upfront, with IMB providing the finance. The remaining 30% equity of the property remains with Housing ACT. The purchaser agrees to progressively purchase this equity from Housing ACT over a maximum 15 year period.
The following documents outline the various aspects of the Shared Equity Scheme including eligibility criteria, steps in the process and details on how to express an interest in purchasing your Housing ACT home:
Information Kit
Fact Sheet [PDF 35KB] [RTF 988KB]Steps in the Shared Equity Process [PDF 51KB] [RTF 1MB]
Frequently Asked Questions [PDF 35KB] [RTF 979KB]
Sale Price Valuation Guidelines [PDF 32KB]
Registration of Interest to Purchase Form [PDF 32KB] [RTF 933KB]
Extensive Reforms to ACT Rental Bonds Program
People in the ACT on moderate incomes now have greater access to interest-free loans to help cover the cost of security bonds in the private rental market under changes to the ACT Government’s Rental Bonds Housing Assistance Program.
These changes became effective on 4 May 2010.
Reforms to the rental bonds program, administered by Housing ACT, include –
- Substantial increases in the income eligibility criteria;
- New arrangements for sole parent applicants with dependent children, ensuring they are assessed in the same way as couples with the same number of children;
- Increase in the loan limit from 80% to 90% of the required bond; and
- Expansion of the period for pre-approved bond loan applicants to find a suitable rental property from one month to three months
The changes will enable more people to enter the private rental market by increasing the household income thresholds. For single-person households the pre-tax threshold has increased from $1383 to $1431. For two-person households, the threshold has increased from $1717 to $1908. Allowances for additional household occupants have also been increased.
The loans will cover most of the cost of a rental bond, freeing up funds to assist individuals and families with other expenses associated with moving house.
The ACT Government recognises that for many Canberrans who are either already renting and wanting to move, or looking to enter the private rental market, the upfront costs can be quite prohibitive and through this program that big step has been made easier for them.
The changes are consistent with the strategic directions of the new National Affordable Housing Agreement (NAHA) between the Commonwealth and all States and Territories that commenced in January 2009.
The NAHA requires a broader approach to providing housing assistance than simply striving to meet people’s needs through the social housing system. This includes offering support for people to access and maintain private rental accommodation.
Extensive Reforms to ACT Rental Bonds Program [PDF 42KB] [RTF 184KB]
The Children's Toolkit - Kids R Central
The Children's Toolkit - Kids R Central is a practical resource comprising a series of guides, activities and techniques to help services better engage and support children and families.The toolkit contains information on safety for children, strategies to engage children in difficult discussions; it provides workers with practical tools to use when working with children and their families. On a service level, the toolkit contains activities to assist services to discuss and identify service strengths, identify any gaps and set priorities. It also contains information on creating a child friendly service.
The toolkit is a joint initiative between the Department of Disability, Housing and Community Services and the Institute of Child Protection Studies.
Feasibility Study for Homeless Drop-In Centre Released
In 2004 the ACT Government allocated $254,000 over three years to establish and operate a Drop-In Centre at Pilgrim Place, Canberra City, for people experiencing homelessness. Operated by the Canberra City Uniting Church, the service became known as the Early Morning Centre (EMC), and is open from 7.00 am -11.00 am, Monday to Friday, to provide breakfast, office facilities, mail collection facilities and general support and referral.
In June 2007 the Community Services Directorate commissioned Purdon and Associates to undertake a feasibility study into a possible expansion of services provided by the Early Morning Centre. The feasibility study was also to identify strategies to ensure the Government is adequately responding to the needs of people who are homeless, including the development of a service model for addressing the needs of “rough sleepers”.
Among the findings of the report were that.
- The Early Morning Centre fulfils a unique role in supporting people who are homeless. The drop-in service provides one-on-one support and referrals. Other food services do not provide this support to the demographic of the EMC users; and
- The service provides support to people who are sleeping rough, who may not have been able to access accommodation or other supports.
In acknowledging the important role that the Early Morning Centre plays, the ACT Government, in November 2007, announced $789,000 over four years in extra funding to enable the continuation and expansion services provided by the Drop-In Centre. - Feasibility Study Report [PDF 619KB] [Word 13MB]
The Road Map - Discussion Paper
The Road Map - Discussion Paper [PDF 402KB] [RTF 508KB]Top
Homelessness and Social Housing Policy Initiatives
In December 2008 the Australian Government released a White Papaer on Homelessness, setting the policy agenda for addressing homlessness across Australia. This was followed on 1 January 2009 by the implementation of National Affordable Housing Agreement (NAHA), and later by the National Partnership Agreements on Homelessness and Social Housing.The NAHA replaces the former Supported Accommodation Assistance Program (SAAP) and Commonwealth State Housing Agreement (CSHA).
The Road Home: A National Approach to Reducing Homelessness 
The National Affordable Housing Agreement
The National Partnership Agreement on Homelessness
The National Partnership Agreement on Social Housing
The National Partnership Agreement on Homelessness – ACT Implementation Plan
Affordable Housing Action Plan
Affordable Housing Action Plan Phase II
Finding their way Home
(this research is jointly funded by the Australian Government under the Supported Accommodation and Assistance Program (SAAP) and the ACT Government)Finding their way home: Children's experience of homlessness [PDF 7.47MB]
Literature review: The experiences and effects of family homelessness for children [PDF 580KB]
Literature review: Engageing children in research on sensitive issues [PDF 4.27KB]
Breaking the Cycle - The ACT Homelessness Strategy Annual Progress Report
Over the period 2004-08 the ACT Government implemented Breaking the Cycle: The ACT Homlessness Strategy. This process created a systematic approach to the homlessness to stable housing continuum and a number of innovations that have changed the way that the homlessness sector operates in the ACT.Evaluation of Breaking the Cycle [PDF 436KB]
First Progress Report on the Implementation of Breaking the Cycle - The ACT Homelessness Strategy for the Period July 2004 - June 2005 [PDF 218KB] [Word 191KB]
Second Annual Progress Report [PDF 229KB] [RTF 168KB]
Attachment 1 - ACT Homelessness Committee membership [PDF 27KB] [RTF 46KB]
Attachment 2 - 82 actions [PDF 28KB] [Excel XLS 160KB]
Attachment 3 - consolidated 26 actions [PDF 17KB] [Excel XLS 112KB]
Evaluation of Breaking the cycle - The ACT Homelessness Strategy [PDF 630KB]
ACT Legislative Assembly Tabling Statement by Ms Katy Gallegher MLA, Minister for Disaiblity and Community Services, on the third Annual Prgress Report and Evaluation of Breaking the Cycle [PDF 75KB] [ Word 110KB]
ACT Government input into the Australian Government Green Paper on Homelessness [PDF 101KB] [ Word 70KB]
Ministerial Statement by John Hargreaves MLA, Minister for Housing, on Pathways from Homelessness to Home Ownership [PDF 40KB] [Word 55KB]
Housing Now
"Housing NOW" is a new initiative that allows eligible social 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 social 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 on Housing Now [PDF 51KB] [RTF 6.1MB]
Expression of Interest form [PDF 23KB] [RTF 866KB]
Social Housing Reforms
Changes to social housing tenure arrangements announced by the Government in April 2007 are being progressively developed and implemented. Social Housing Reforms
Redevelopment of Lyons Estate
ACT Ministerial Housing Consumer Forum and Housing Summit
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.
Progress on Affordable Housing in the ACT
Progress on Affordable Housing in the ACT: Report to the ACT Legislative Assembly [PDF 504KB]
Client Satisfaction Survey
2010 Client Satisfaction Survyey Accessible version [PDF 579KB] [Word 1MB] Designer version [PDF 567KB]
2008 Internal Client Satisfaction [PDF 525KB] [Word 1.32MB]
ACT Ministerial Housing Consumer Forum and Housing Summit
Key messages from the Consumer Forum and Housing Summit are attached for your information. These messages capture the major discussion points and reflect the many views of participants. Messages have been provided in a format that captures in summary the voices, views and perspectives of participants.
Key messages from the Consumer Forum and Housing Summit [PDF 81KB] [RTF 1,053KB]
The report back of issues and solutions from the Consumer Forum is also available to read in conjunction with this document and provides the key outcomes as described by tenants who participated in the Forum.
The report back of issues and solutions from the Consumer Forum [Word 3.9MB] [PDF 61KB]
Raising the Standard
Accommodation and Support Services for Homeless Men and their Children [PDF 155KB]
Needs Analysis of Homelessness in the ACT - Final Report [PDF 1MB]
Review of Housing ACT Market Renters [PDF 369KB] [Word 6.2MB]
Cultural Dictionary [PDF 737KB] [RTF 1,620KB]
Housing People, Building Communities [Word 4.5MB] [PDF 278KB]
The Supported Accommodation Assistance Program (SAAP)
and related policy documents
The Supported Accommodation Assistance Program (SAAP) was the Commonwealth, State and Territory homlessness response from 1985 until 31 December 2008.
SAAP v Bilateral Agreement [PDF 380KB] [RTF 855KB]
SAAP V Multilateral Agreement [PDF 350KB] [RTF 1,078KB]
Agreement for the Provision of Housing for Indigenous People [PDF 92KB] [RTF 140KB]
Departmental Response - "Raising Our Voice" report [PDF 47KB]
Progress on Affordable Housing in the ACT: Report to the ACT Legislative Assembly [PDF 504KB]
Raising Our Voice Report [PDF 1.3MB] [Word 2.8MB]
National Social Housing Survey 2007 [PDF 2.49MB]
Social Housing Asset Management Strategy 2003-2008 [PDF 155KB] [RTF 8,171KB]
SAAP Service Guarantee [PDF 14KB] [RTF 17KB]
Bilateral CSHA 2003 - 08
Tenants Focus Group Outcomes [PDF 104KB]
Changes to ACT Public Housing Policy
On 20 April 2007, the ACT Government announced changes to the public housing policy aimed at reducing the pressure on waiting lists and further ensuring public housing is targeted at Canberrans most in need.
The changes are detailed in the media releases attached below. Tenants with any enquiries about these changes can telephone 133427.
Housing changes assist those most in need [PDF 70KB] [RTF 30KB]
Shorter waiting times for Public Housing [PDF 65KB] [RTF 30KB]
Information Papers ACT Ministerial Housing Consumer Forum [PDF 504KB]
Community Housing Discussion Papers Ministers Housing Advisory Forum [PDF 137KB]
Coalition of Community Housing Organisations ACT (CCHOACT) complaints and appeals-ACT Community Housing Discussion Paper-Working Draft [PDF 150KB]
Public Housing Asset Management Financing and Private Sector Partnerships Ministers Housing Advisory Forum [PDF 117KB]
Minister's Housing Advisory Forum Housing for People with a Disability Discussion Paper [PDF 129KB] [RTF 1,091KB]
Minister's Housing Advisory Forum Complaint and Review Processes in Social Housing Discussion Paper [PDF 163KB] [Word 1,544KB]
Housing ACT Fact Sheets
Housing Assistance Program Operational Guidelines
Housing Assistance Program Operational Guidelines
Research
The Measuring Homelessness report provides a profile of clients of the ACT’s homelessness central intake service (First Point) and their participation in the 2011 population Census. A supplementary report provides a profile of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander clients of this service.
Report Measuring ACT Homelessness [PDF 338KB] [WORD 382KB]
Report Measuring Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Homelessness [PDF 264KB] [WORD 255KB]
Cornerstone of the Capital
Cornerstone of the Capital [PDF 1MB]The history of ACT Social Housing.
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 [PDF 181KB]
Gallery of launch ceremony
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Representatives
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Maureen Sheehan
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The Jumping Gateway
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Winsome Willow
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Dr Helen Watchirs
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Ms Katy Gallagher MLA
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Gerald Franks
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Forms
Letter of Support - Early Allocation and/or Special Needs Housing [PDF 22KB] [RTF 888KB]
Changes to Client Details - Applications List [PDF 92.4] [RTF 183.7]
Commissioner for Social Housing Standard Tenancy Agreement [PDF 75KB] [RTF 179KB]
Registration to apply for Social Housing Assistance in the ACT
Application for a Rental Rebate
Application for Review of Decision [PDF 182KB] [RTF 513KB]
Vacants - Notice of Intention to Vacate [PDF 133KB] [Word 294KB]
Newsletters
Housing ACT's Winter 2013 Newsletter [PDF 288KB] [Word 87KB] [Designer PDF 454KB] Housing ACT's Winter 2013 Newsletter Kid's Competition - Happy Birthday Canberra [PDF 97KB] [Word 23KB]
Housing ACT's Autumn 2013 Newsletter [PDF 1MB] [Word 110KB]
Housing ACT's Summer 2013 Newletter [PDF 1MB] [Word 122KB]
Children's Colouring Competition [PDF 126KB] [Word 105KB]
Housing ACT's Spring 2012 Newsletter [PDF 318KB] [Word 139KB] [Designer PDF 1MB]
Housing ACT's Winter 2012 Newsletter [PDF 1.4MB] [Word 81KB]
Housing ACT's Summer 2012 Newsletter [PDF 151KB] [RTF 1.2MB]
Housing ACT's Summer 2011 Newsletter [PDF 192KB] [RTF 211KB] [Designer PDF 978KB]
Housing ACT's Autumn 2011 Newsletter [PDF 217KB] [RTF 193KB] [Designer PDF 2MB]
Housing ACT's Winter 2010 Newsletter [PDF 1.6MB] [Word 1MB]
Housing ACT Spring 2010 [PDF 730KB] [RTF 80KB]
Housing ACT Autumn 2010 [PDF 164KB] [RTF 46KB]
Other Information
Code of Conduct [PDF 41KB] [RTF 166KB]
General Information on Asbestos [PDF 66KB] [RTF 7MB]
Pamphlet on Energy and Water Savings Measures [PDF 3.4MB]
List of grants approved for 2007/2008 [PDF 18KB] [Excel XLS 34KB]
