ACT government pushed to buy private housing to re-home rough sleepers following NSW announcement

This follows an announcement from the NSW government earlier this week, which said it would spend $36 million on securing properties from the private rental market to be used to re-home rough sleepers.

The ACT Greens have urged the territory government to follow suit.

"We can follow the lead of the NSW government by buying units from the private sector, which would provide a quick addition to available accommodation for rough sleepers," ACT Greens spokeswoman for housing Caroline Le Couteur said.

The ACT government has recently permanently housed 21 rough sleepers as part of its "housing first" pilot with CatholicCare, Minister for Housing Yvette Berry said.

The program provides housing to people without the conditions that might otherwise prohibit a tenancy - such as sobriety or income.

In response to the coronavirus pandemic, the ACT government also announced a $3 million package targeted at housing and of that $830,000 was spent on accommodation for rough sleepers during the crisis.

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Estimates have suggested there are about 65 rough sleepers in Canberra. According to the 2016 census, there were 54 homeless people in the territory but housing advocates have said the likely number is much higher.

Ms Le Couteur also called for the ACT government to commit to funding a second stage for Common Ground in Gungahlin. The common ground model is intended to support rough sleepers into permanent housing.

"This building was designed to be extended, and provides wrap around support services to residents," she said.

"It ticks all the boxes: there is a demonstrated need to house chronic rough sleepers, the project has the support of key stakeholders, and it will provide a construction stimulus with an ongoing social outcome."

But Ms Berry pointed to the Common Ground in Dickson, where she said the government was making progress. A development application was recently lodged for the site.

"Common Ground Dickson will provide 40 social and affordable homes to support the needs of a mix of tenants, particularly women and children," she said.

"This project builds on the success of Common Ground in Gungahlin. I look forward to the ACT Greens supporting the fast-tracking of this project if the opportunity arises."