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The ACT government has said it will be extending relief measures for its most vulnerable tenants residing in private rentals.
According to the ACT government, the continuation of the Rent Relief Fund “will provide targeted, short-term emergency support” to low-income households across the territory.
It brings the total funds allocated for grants to $2.51 million since the fund kicked off in April of this year.
A government statement, from Chief Minister and Treasurer Andrew Barr and Attorney-General Shane Rattenbury, said the fund’s aim is to prevent evictions and improve the wellbeing of the most vulnerable households, as well as connect them to services “that may assist them to improve their financial position over the longer term”.
The fund offers grants for up to four weeks’ rent and is capped at $2,500.
Care Inc. is responsible for administering the fund on behalf of the territory government, with Carmel Franklin, Care chief executive officer, stating that the group is “pleased to be able to support members of our community” through the fund’s continuation.
“We know how valuable this assistance is to people experiencing rental stress.”
She also explained that as part of administering the fund: “Care will continue to provide wraparound support from our range of programs – financial counselling, financial capability, consumer law, community loans and community education, as well as referring people to other local support services as needed”.
Minister Barr said the fund’s extension comes as the territory government “is also investing in a range of measures to increase the supply of affordable rentals in Canberra, as we work towards our commitment of delivering 600 additional rental dwellings by 2025–26”.
He also expressed that the territory “will continue to work with the Commonwealth government through the National Housing Accord to improve housing affordability”.
The Attorney-General acknowledged the benefits of the grants, highlighting reports “that support provided through the fund has allowed people to redirect their earnings to purchase warm clothes for their children and pay their bills”.
“It has given those studying the ability to focus on their study during exam time instead of stressing about working to pay rent and it has helped people to catch up on rent arrears due to illness or lack of work, or to get back on top of things since a change in circumstance,” he continued.
“The ACT is a national leader in supporting the rights of tenants, including through reforms to ban no cause evictions,” Attorney-General Rattenbury continued.
“The extension of this fund allows us to directly ease pressures for tenants.”
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Grace Ormsby
Grace is a journalist across Momentum property and investment brands. Grace joined Momentum Media in 2018, bringing with her a Bachelor of Laws and a Bachelor of Communication (Journalism) from the University of Newcastle. She’s passionate about delivering easy to digest information and content relevant to her key audiences and stakeholders.
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