Written by Carmel Franklin, CEO, Care
Bree*, a single mum and a survivor of domestic and family violence, first engaged with Care after experiencing years of financial abuse. Through our financial counselling and capability program we worked with Bree to stabilise her financial situation.
While still in the process of recovery, Bree re-engaged with Care following further financial setbacks. She had successfully gained custody of her young child but was struggling with outstanding legal fees incurred through the Family Court process.
In casual employment, Bree had also just lost three weeks of income over the summer holiday period. In rental arrears, Bree was at risk of eviction. Maintaining stable housing was a condition of her custody agreement.
Through Care, Bree applied for a Rent Relief Fund grant.
The Rent Relief Fund commenced in April 2023 and was delivered by Care on behalf of the ACT Government. The scheme provided grants of up to four weeks rent or $2,500 to tenants experiencing rental stress or severe financial hardship.
The ACT Government closed the Rent Relief Fund on 4th July 2025 despite calls from Care and other community organisations for its continuation.
In early April, the ACT Government’s spokesperson outlined a key justification for its closure, saying that thanks to recent rental reforms, “we are now one of the most, if not the most, affordable jurisdictions.”
But in late April, Anglicare Australia’s Rental Affordability Snapshot found that there were no affordable private rentals in the ACT for age pensioners, single parents, job seekers, and students receiving income support or for most minimum wage earners.
Here is what we think the decision to close the scheme has missed.
In late 2024, the Rental Affordability Index did indeed find that Canberra was the most affordable capital city. But this came with two critical caveats. First, this was driven by having the nation’s highest average income, not the lowest rents. Second, and most importantly, it found that “for low-income earners and students, the ACT is one of the most unaffordable rental markets.”
Despite recent rental reforms, rental arrears remain a cause for eviction. The lack of affordable properties on the private rental market and a five year wait for social housing means that eviction creates a significant risk of homelessness for households experiencing severe financial hardship. They have nowhere else to go.
The Rent Relief Fund provided over 1,600 grants – an average of two grants every day to help our most vulnerable households keep a roof over their heads.
Another key justification the ACT Government has provided for closing this scheme is the constrained fiscal environment. However, the Rent Relief Fund delivered significant social impact at a modest financial cost of $1.7 million per year – approximately 0.02% of ACT Government’s budgeted revenue in 2025-26.
We have also noted that the introduction of a levy on short-term accommodation from 1 July 2025 has created a new and ongoing revenue stream for the ACT Government. The levy is expected to provide $3.8 million in 2025-26 and increasing to $4.2 million by 2027-28. It would take less than half of this levy revenue to fund the continuation of the Rent Relief Fund.
For Care, the Rent Relief Fund has also delivered social benefits far exceeding its modest financial cost, including connecting grant applicants and recipients with other supports through our own programs and through referrals to other community service organisations and government agencies. This holistic support is critical to achieving sustainable outcomes for our clients.
Through Care’s financial counselling and capability program, Bree was supported to draft a budget and set up ongoing payments toward rent and utilities. Care’s community loans program provided access to a no-interest loan to help Bree maintain her car which was essential to maintaining her employment.
Care supported Bree to access food relief through referrals to UnitingCare Kippax, St Vincent de Paul, and St John’s Care, and to access Safer Families and Escaping Violence grants to cover outstanding legal fees.
Like Bree, one third of grant recipients were victim-survivors of domestic and family violence. For Bree, the Rent Relief Fund not only helped maintain her housing but the custody of her child. It formed part of wraparound, holistic support aimed at stabilising her housing and financial situation and providing the foundations for a sustainable recovery from years of financial abuse.
The theme for Homelessness Week 2025 (4-10 August) is “Homelessness Action Now.” Care’s Keep the Rent Relief Fund e-Petition is calling for the ACT Government to reinstate the Rent Relief Fund as a small but effective part of supporting Canberrans at risk of homelessness. We encourage all concerned Canberrans to add your support.
*Not her real name.
