ACT Shelter was incorporated under the ACT Associations Incorporation Act in April 1996. Prior to this a small group of dedicated volunteers had been working for some 10 years in the social housing sector raising housing issues for low to moderate income earners with the Government. A Shelter representa
tive was invited to sit on the ACT Government’s Housing Advisory Committee but without funding, there were limitations on how far we could effectively represent the housing needs of people on low to medium incomes.
ACTCOSS at this time were funded by the ACT Government to employ a housing support worker but most other States and Territories had funded independent Housing Peak bodies which were networked under the umbrella of the federally funded National Shelter. So in 1996 the ACT Government agreed to fund a newly incorporated ACT Shelter for $50,000 per annum. We have gratefully received funding support from the ACT Government since that time.
Over the years, ACT Shelter Incorporated has worked with community and government on several levels in advocating for safe, secure and affordable housing for low to middle-income ACT residents.
ACT Shelter is a not-for-profit organisation funded by the ACT Government to represent the interests of our members and provide advocacy and strategic advice on systemic issues affecting housing consumers in the ACT. We are an informed and independent voice on housing policy issues affecting the ability of people on low, moderate or no incomes to have an affordable, safe and secure home.
The realisation of the Right to Adequate Housing for all Canberrans underpins everything we do.