A scheme to help people in difficulty with their rents is to resume in Canberra as part of a shake-up of housing policy.
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The ACT government set up its Rent Relief Fund in November 2021 but the fund was then suspended when its pot of $133,000 was used up.
The territory government has announced that it is to be resumed.
It also intends to create a new post known as the coordinator general for housing who will oversee different parts of the ACT government's housing activity which are currently split between departments.
The Liberal opposition said the change indicated a lack of confidence by the chief minister, Andrew Barr, in the current ministers, housing minister Yvette Berry and homelessness minister Rebecca Vassarotti.
"If he does not trust his ministers, he should tell them to go," Liberals leader Elizabeth Lee said.
On the resumed Rent Relief Fund, the new money is to be available until June next year. The aim will be to help low-income households who are renting from private landlords and who have immediate financial difficulties.
The idea is to tide people over temporary difficulties to prevent them being evicted.
Grants of up to $2500 for up to four weeks will be available.
The new coordinator general for housing will bring together different parts of the ACT government's housing activity under the one department.
"The office will both oversee the delivery of major projects and coordinate activities across the ACT government," a government statement said.
This includes working with the Commonwealth government.
The ACT government has also raised the prospect of "further tax reform, reducing stamp duty for owner-occupiers".
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The government also says that the aim will be:
- Increasing access to secure, affordable rental housing options
- Creating more housing options for low-income Canberrans
- Improving access to mortgage finance and improved loan serviceability
"Population growth will continue in the coming decade and housing demand will grow," ACT chief minister Andrew Barr said.
"That is why we are establishing the office of the coordinator general for housing - to centrally deliver and coordinate this whole-of-government priority."
It is not clear if extra funding for the overall budget will be allocated.
Steve Evans
Steve Evans is a reporter on The Canberra Times. He's been a BBC correspondent in New York, London, Berlin and Seoul and the sole reporter/photographer/paper deliverer on The Glen Innes Examiner in country New South Wales. "All the jobs have been fascinating - and so it continues."
Steve Evans is a reporter on The Canberra Times. He's been a BBC correspondent in New York, London, Berlin and Seoul and the sole reporter/photographer/paper deliverer on The Glen Innes Examiner in country New South Wales. "All the jobs have been fascinating - and so it continues."
