What are the challenges we face?

Canberra has a shortage of both public and private housing resulting in unaffordable high property prices and rents. Too many young families are locked out of the housing and forced to live in uncertain living arrangements. This has arisen in Canberra because the government has failed to plan for a rapidly growing population and has planning and taxation rules that are disincentives to investment. The lack of housing supply artificially inflates the cost of housing, making it increasingly unaffordable, particularly for those on lower incomes. 

Despite having grand plans for 30,000 new residences by 2030 the reality is that far too few new residences are being constructed in Canberra. ACT Shelter describes the assumptions in this plan as ‘optimistic’.

Under-investment in Public Housing has meant that the Public Housing stock remains at 2017 levels, despite a considerable increase in our population and demand. The ACT Public Housing waiting list continues to increase with wait lists for some of five years to be allocated a secure place to live.

Underinvestment in Public Housing maintenance means that many residents face lengthy delays in having repairs or necessary modifications done to their premises. Some residents are forced to live with mould, broken appliances and security doors,

How do Liberal Values guide our approach?

Canberra Liberals Values are drawn from the ‘We believe’ statement

Relevant to Housing and Homelessness, we believe:

• In equal opportunity for all Australians; and the encouragement and facilitation of wealth so that all may enjoy the highest possible standards of living, health, education and social justice.

• That, wherever possible, government should not compete with an efficient private sector; and that businesses and individuals – not government – are the true creators of wealth and employment.

We believe that welfare should be a hand up, not a handout – that welfare support would ideally be temporary and targeted to ensure that individuals are supported to enable contribution to society and to restore an individual to a position they can proudly stand on their own feet. We recognise that for some because of health or personal circumstances, support will be required for their whole life, in these cases support should be provided in a way that delivers control and agency to the individual.

While we are currently reviewing our formal policies, you would expect that the Canberra Liberals would:

For private housing:

• Have policies that ensure that all Canberran’s have a realistic prospect of securing their own home

• That land release and planning policies do not constrain the creation of new residences

• That further developments in Canberra support and enhance the quality of life of Canberran’s having regard to the environment and provision of services.

• Have safety net mechanisms in place such as ‘Rent Relief’ to help Canberrans stay in their own home during a short term crisis. This is a cost saving measure as the alternative is those Canberrans

For public housing:

• Invest in Public Housing and Housing maintenance that reflects demand. It is unacceptable that Canberrans need to wait five years for Public Housing, or live in sub-standard or poorly maintained properties. This is a breach of individual human rights.

• Work with the private and charitable sectors to remove barriers and provide incentives for investment to meet the demand for genuinely affordable housing. This would be achieved by reducing government imposed costs and constraints.

• Would ensure that barriers to Community sector housing are reduced.

For Homelessness:

• I believe that no-one chooses to be homeless and acknowledge that homelessness is a catastrophe that is associated with health, mental health issues and the breakdown of trust in our society

• I believe that addressing housing insecurity is the first step in supporting people to get back on their feet, so they can continue to contribute to society and that wholistic wrap around supports delivered by appropriate communities of support at or before a crisis should be our priority

• We will therefore have policies that provide timely responses to homelessness or risk of homelessness

• Ensure that responses are coordinated and options reflect the needs of the individual

• That pathways to housing be seamless and fully supported.

Key Support Links

See the Urgent Support Links page for support contacts.