The long-awaited housing summit held this week brought together about 200 community members to discuss a new strategy.

Now those in the housing industry and particularly those at the forefront of the affordability crisis want the positive event to be turned into more than just a talkfest.

No-one could blame them and it's critical that steps are taken to make sure the event leads to some real change.

Already though the government has committed to several initiatives that should indicate it is serious about tackling the issue.

This includes a $1 million housing innovation fund, an annual affordable community housing supply target and a new affordable home purchase database.

These are positive things should they all be delivered but do little to confront the reality of housing in the ACT.

The territory is one of the most expensive places to buy or rent in the country and its apparent wealth hides a sub-population of people who are at severe housing stress or homeless.

A report by the National Centre for Social and Economic Modelling at the University of Canberra found the government's "salt and pepper" approach to public housing was masking the levels of disadvantage.

It found up to one in every 10 Canberrans were living in low-income households, as are some 12 per cent of the city's children.

Further reports predicted that rental prices had increased over the quarter by 4.2 per cent and that house prices in Canberra would increase by between 5 and 9 per cent next year.

Initiatives launched during the summit will do little to address the cost of housing or the problematic land release program that inflates the price of single blocks when they are eventually released.

There is no question that more public and community housing needs to be built in the territory.

Committing to this would be a solid indication the ACT government was prepared and able to tackle the problem.

It's not an easy fix but there are obvious steps to take in the right direction.