The territory’s budget will contain several measures aimed at boosting the supply of social, public, community, and affordable housing for Canberrans.
The ACT has revealed a range of measures to increase the supply of housing across its capital, Canberra, in its 2026–27 territory budget.
As part of these initiatives, the territory will establish a new Public Housing Pipeline to deliver an additional 450 public homes, supported by the Territory Priority Projects legislation.
The ACT government said this model will “speed up delivery of new homes and respond to market conditions”, with more than half of these homes supported through the federal government’s Housing Australia Future Fund Facility Round 3 (HAFFF3).
Plans were also flagged to unlock more than 1,000 affordable homes through a new loan guarantee program backed by the Housing Australia Future Fund.
The ACT government said the initiative forms part of its broader housing agenda, alongside long-term commitments for crisis and transitional housing to support vulnerable Canberrans.
Additional support will also be provided to Aboriginal Community-Controlled Organisations to help deliver social and affordable housing, including assistance in accessing the First Nations stream of the Housing Australia Future Fund.
Broadly, the territory said its housing strategy includes expanding and maintaining existing stock, growing the public housing portfolio to 13,200 homes by 2030, and delivering 5,000 additional public, community, and affordable rental dwellings by the end of the decade.
Tackling supply shortages
Several states have introduced new programs and initiatives in recent months aimed at easing Australia’s housing shortage, according to reporting from The Adviser and sister brand Broker Daily.
These include a $2.4 billion housing infrastructure agreement between the federal government and Queensland, designed to help unlock more than 51,000 new homes across the state, with over 20,000 earmarked for first home buyers.
In Western Australia, the government has unveiled a $297 million housing tax package expanding stamp duty concessions and other incentives for first home buyers.
Meanwhile, South Australian-backed low-deposit lender HomeStart Finance also confirmed it had broadened the scope of its lending programs.
Its Graduate Loan, which allows eligible borrowers to enter the market with a 2 per cent deposit, has been expanded to include police officers, firefighters, and TAFE graduates.
At the time, South Australian Treasurer Tom Koutsantonis said the changes were intended to remove barriers for more first home buyers and essential workers.
“HomeStart is one of the most powerful tools the State Government has to help South Australians into their own homes. Whether it’s a graduate coming out of Tech College, a firefighter protecting our suburbs, or a young family stretching to meet upfront costs, this expansion is about removing barriers and giving people a real shot at home ownership,” he said.
“These are practical changes that will make a real difference for South Australian families trying to get their foot in the door.”
[Related: New deal announced to unlock 51k Qld homes]
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