2023-05-03
We are in a housing crisis.
The ACT is one of the most expensive places to rent in the country. Many Canberrans are facing severe rental stress, with some essential workers paying up to 76% of their income on rent.
This is a crisis - but it is important to understand that this crisis has not evolved organically. This is a crisis created by the policies of successive Federal Liberal and Labor Governments that have consistently favoured the rich over everyone else.
With Greens in Government here in the ACT we have over many years improved renters rights and address housing inequality.
But we can and MUST do more.
That’s why the ACT Greens have joined our federal, state and territory Greens calling for a two-year rent freeze and to limit how much rents can be increased. We need action here, and nationally.
ACT Greens Leader, Shane Rattenbury, has written to the ACT Chief Minister imploring him to consider this urgent action at the Territory level. In a crisis, Governments must do everything they can to respond.
The ACT Greens have joined our state and federal Greens colleagues in calling for:
- The introduction of a two-year rent freeze
- A 2% cap to all rent increases
- This applies to rent increases between new tenancies
- This will also remove the mechanism which allows a 2% cap to be overridden by tenancy agreements
From within Government and from the Crossbench, the ACT Greens have been working hard to tackle the housing crisis with a suite of policy measures including:
- Securing a record investment in public housing through the Parliamentary & Governing Agreement
- Securing a record investment in specialist homelessness services through the Parliamentary & Governing Agreement including delivering a new strategic plan to end homelessness in the ACT
- Reforming the ‘Residential Tenancies Act’ to end ‘no cause’ evictions, prohibit solicited rent bidding and mandate minimum energy efficiency standards on rental properties
- Proposing an inquiry into the ‘Missing Middle’ campaign - a reform proposed to support the construction of more homes within our current urban footprint
- Proposing regulations on short-term rental accommodation
- Proposing a vacancy tax on long-term vacant homes
- Establishing the ‘Rent Relief Fund’ to support renters in financial hardship
- Secured tri-partisan support in the Assembly calling on the Federal Government to abolish the ACT’s historic public housing debt, allowing the ACT Government to buy and build even more public housing
This crisis was created by successive choices made by the people in power. Now it’s time for another choice. A choice for Governments to stand up for those who have to choose between paying their rent or buying their essential medication. Those who can't afford to turn their heater on this winter because their rent is too damn high.
Now is the time to make the right choice. The only choice.