Independent Member for Kurrajong Thomas Emerson MLA has described the findings of a damning ACT Ombudsman’s report into Housing ACT’s management of tenant repairs and maintenance as unsurprising, with public housing issues ranking as the number one issue raised with his office by constituents.

The Ombudsman’s report concludes that the ACT’s largest landlord, Housing ACT, is not meeting its obligations under the Residential Tenancies Act 1997 (ACT) or achieving the objectives set out in the Housing Assistance Act 2007 (ACT). 

“How can we celebrate being the most progressive state or territory in the country while failing the most vulnerable members of our community on so many fronts?” Mr Emerson said. 

The Ombudsman’s report makes 8 recommendations, including calling on Housing ACT to ensure that services are delivered in a citizen-centric approach. All recommendations have been accepted by Housing ACT.

“Most Canberrans would be shocked at the living conditions experienced by many public housing tenants in our community,” said Mr Emerson. 

“My office has been trying to assist an elderly woman who’s been without hot water for almost two weeks, and hasn’t seen any action despite having contacted her housing manager, the contractor and the Minister’s office.”

“I’ve been contacted by people living with mice infestations, black mould, crumbling ceilings, overflowing sewage – this is completely unacceptable in Australia’s wealthiest jurisdiction.”

The ACT’s public housing stock is in the second-poorest condition in the country, with just 71 per cent of dwellings deemed not to be of an acceptable standard according to data released on 29 January 2026.

“It’s appalling that almost a third of our public housing dwellings do not have at least four working facilities and fewer than three major structural defects”, Mr Emerson said.

“While I welcome the ACT Government’s pre-existing commitment to insource public housing repairs, I don’t see that alone being sufficient to address these shameful statistics.”

MEDIA CONTACT: Will Devine | 0402 183 296 | [email protected]

BACKGROUND:

The Productivity Commission’s latest Report on Government Services (ROGS) shows the proportion of public housing in the ACT whose condition is of an acceptable standard decreased from 76 per cent in 2023 to 71 per cent in 2025. This is the second lowest rate in the country, behind New South Wales. A dwelling is deemed to be of an acceptable standard if it has at least four working facilities – like a stove, shower, etc – and no more than two major structural defects.

Last week in the Legislative Assembly, Mr Emerson asked the Minister for Homes, Homelessness and New Suburbs Yvette Berry MLA whether the ACT Government would commit to reversing this concerning decline in the condition of our public housing stock by the time the next set of ROGS data comes out in two years’ time. Minister Berry made no such commitment, and would not be drawn on whether the ACT Government had a goal of at least meeting the national average for public housing dwelling condition.

TRANSCRIPT OF QUESTION TIME 26TH FEBRUARY 2026

MR EMERSON: Thank you Mr Speaker, my question is for the Minister for Homes and New Suburbs. The Productivity Commission's latest report on government services shows the proportion of public housing in the ACT whose condition is of an acceptable standard has decreased from 76% in 2023 to 71% in 2025. 

That means almost a third of public housing dwellings do not have at least four working facilities and no more than two major structural defects - the second lowest rate in the country.Minister, why is the condition of our public housing stock so poor, and why is it worsening?

MS BERRY: Thank you, Mr Speaker. Well, the ACT has some of the oldest housing stock in the country which is probably one statistic Mr Emerson did not pay attention to. That is the reason why the Government has been conducting a Growth and Renewal program, where we have been renewing older unsustainable homes, so that now 20% of our public housing properties are now newer, more sustainable, environmentally friendly, affordable to heat and cool, and accessible to people with different ability needs.

MR EMERSON: Minister, will the ACT Government commit to reversing this concerning decline in the condition of our public housing stock by the time the next set of ROGS data comes out, which will be based on the 2027 year?

MS BERRY: Well, I have just described what the ACT Government is doing to address the issues in our public housing and will continue to do that

MS CARRICK: Minister, has the Government set a goal of at least meeting the national average for the condition of our public housing stock, or of having the highest quality public housing in the country? 

MS BERRY: We’ve certainly been running a Growth and Renewal program unlike any other state or territory. It is something that the ACT Government is keen to ensure that our public's housing stock meets the needs of all our tenants regardless of their needs or their backgrounds, and including the increase to public housing of another 1000 homes, will make a difference to um the sustainability and livability of our homes. We’re also, as members know, looking at insourcing our housing maintenance program, as well as making sure our homes are electrical efficient and have electrical upgrades, as well as ceiling upgrades, to ensure that there is appropriate insulation in homes as well. So there is a range of different work happening in the ACT, and I’m sure that there will be better outcomes as we continue on that work.