2026-05-26
The ACT Greens have welcomed the Government’s decision to reinstate the Rent Relief Fund, following pressure from the Greens, community groups and renters.
The fund provides crisis payments of up to $2,500 to renters in acute financial stress. It had been cut despite evidence it was helping prevent evictions and homelessness across Canberra.
“When former Greens Leader, Shane Rattenbury, tabled a petition demanding the Government to restore the fund last year, the sector, frontline services and renters made it clear: this fund works,” said ACT Greens Leader Jo Clay.
“It was wrong for the Government to call it a temporary COVID measure. It kept people in their homes and out of crisis. The Rent Relief Fund proved to be a critical part of providing wraparound support to vulnerable private renters.
The fund provides targeted, short-term support to people facing rental stress or sudden hardship, helping stabilise tenancies and ease pressure on homelessness services.
Ms Clay said the scheme must now be properly funded, accessible, and available to those who need it.
“We welcome its return, but it should never have been cut. Vulnerable Canberrans have gone months without a key lifeline.
“This must be more than a temporary fix. We need sustained investment in keeping people housed.”
The Greens will continue to push for stronger action on housing affordability, including more public and community housing and ongoing cost-of-living relief.
“Every Canberran deserves a safe, secure home. Restoring this fund is an important step, but more must be done,” Ms Clay said.