The ACT Council of Social Service (ACTCOSS) has today welcomed the ACT Government's announcement requiring the inclusion of affordable rental properties in existing or planned Build-to-Rent proposals and developments in the ACT.
The ACT's housing crisis has left a serious lack of affordable options for low-income Canberran households simultaneously struggling with cost of living stresses. The shortfall of social housing dwellings in the ACT requires an additional 8,500 social housing dwellings by 2036 to meet demand.
ACTCOSS CEO, Dr Emma Campbell said: "Without urgent intervention, options for affordable housing will continue to decline, further marginalising people on low incomes and communities who face disadvantage and discrimination.
"For example, people with disability face additional barriers to securing tenancy given inaccessibility of many rental properties coupled with unaffordability for those on limited incomes.
"The release today of the year four ACT Housing Strategy report card shows that the ACT Government still has a long way to go to deliver on its social and affordable housing commitments.
"People are waiting 1,743 days on average to access public housing dwellings in the ACT. The need for affordable housing to accommodate ACT's growing population is highlighted by a well-documented lack of public and social housing, as well as affordable private rentals.
"It is important that ACT Government funding targets support our Community Housing Providers who are experts in delivering affordable rental dwellings as part of Build-to-Rent developments.
"Community Housing Providers are not only the industry experts on provision and management of affordable housing, but also have existing lists of waitlisted suitable tenants and are also subject to appropriate national regulations.
Dr Campbell continued: "The inclusion of affordable rentals in the Build-to-Rent scheme is a positive start, but only one element amongst a much broader collection of recommendations that the ACT and Australian governments need to take on in order to address the housing crisis.
"Increased investment in social and affordable housing is urgently needed to address the current shortfall of 3,100 social housing dwellings, and house the almost 1,600 people experiencing homelessness in the ACT," Dr Campbell said.
