ACTCOSS and ACT Shelter urge Assembly to make housing a human right

Today in the Legislative Assembly the second reading of the Human Rights (Housing) Amendment Bill is being tabled for debate. This marks a pivotal moment in the campaign to enshrine housing as a human right in the ACT’s Human Rights Act.

ACTCOSS and ACT Shelter, alongside ACT service providers and community organisations, have long advocated for housing to be recognised as a human right. Both organisations urge Members of the Legislative Assembly to support the Bill, as recommended by the Standing Committee on Legal Affairs following its inquiry earlier this year.

“Today’s debate is an opportunity for the ACT to lead the nation in recognising housing as a human right. Enshrining this right in law provides a safeguard for the most vulnerable Canberrans and ensures that future governments consider housing alongside other rights,” said Dr Devin Bowles, CEO of ACTCOSS.

“This Bill will not, on its own, resolve the housing crisis, but it lays the legal foundation we need. To make the right to housing a reality, we must continue and scale up investment in public and community housing to ensure that no one in Canberra is left without the security of a home,” Dr Bowles said.

If passed, the amendment would embed the right to housing into the ACT’s existing human rights framework. This means that future laws would need to be assessed for consistency with the right to housing. It would also require government agencies to act in a way that is consistent with the right to housing when making decisions and demonstrate this through existing reporting processes.

“The right to housing will give Canberrans an important tool to hold decision makers to account. It will help drive a fairer and more inclusive housing system, one where everyone can access a safe, affordable and suitable home,” said Corinne Dobson, CEO of ACT Shelter.

“Frontline services are telling us every day about the people who are falling through the gaps -gaps that are widening and deepening as the housing crisis persists. Passing this Bill will send a powerful signal that housing is not just a commodity, but a human right that governments have a duty to uphold. Supporting this Bill demonstrates the ACT Government’s commitment to that principle,” Ms Dobson said.

ACTCOSS and ACT Shelter stand ready to work with government and the wider community sector to ensure the right to housing becomes a lived reality for all Canberrans.

ACTCOSS advocates for social justice in the ACT and represents not-for-profit community organisations. Follow us @ACTCOSS on Facebook and Instagram.

ACT Shelter is a not-for-profit peak body providing an informed and independent voice on housing policy issues affecting the ability of Canberrans on low, moderate or no incomes to have an affordable, safe and secure home.

For more information or comment, please contact

Dr Devin Bowles, CEO, ACTCOSS, on 0413 435 080.

Corinne Dobson, CEO, ACT Shelter, [email protected], 0401 446 141.