Independent Member for Kurrajong Thomas Emerson MLA will today bring a motion to the Legislative Assembly calling for the ACT Government to back the community-led ‘20 Homes by Christmas’ campaign.

The campaign seeks to renovate 20 of the ACT Government’s vacant public housing properties and get tenants in before Christmas – with labour, supplies and tools provided pro-bono by Canberra tradies. 

“We have 588 vacant public housing properties in the ACT right now, while 3,652 households sit on the public housing waitlist,” said Mr Emerson. 

As of June 2026, Housing ACT properties awaiting maintenance or upgrades remained vacant for an average of 284 days.

Mr Emerson said Canberrans had made it clear they want to see more action on the housing crisis, with hundreds reaching out to the campaign offering labour, supplies, tools and support. 

“Like the hundreds of Canberrans putting their hands up to help, I’m right behind this initiative — and the ACT Government should be too,” said Mr Emerson.

“Canberrans see the growing problem of homelessness across our community, and are stepping up to be part of the solution.

“The immense community support for this proposal shows Canberrans are deeply concerned about the lack of housing available for vulnerable people in the ACT. 

“Jonny and his team have the labour and resources – they just need the go-ahead from the ACT Government to get on with it.” 

Mr Emerson called on his Assembly colleagues to support the motion.

“This initiative offers an opportunity to transform the lives of vulnerable Canberrans, while freeing up government resources to do more in tackling the housing crisis,” said Mr Emerson. 

Quotes attributable to Jonny Warren, Lead Campaigner on the ‘20 Homes By Christmas’ Campaign and founder of Jonny Warren Properties:

“The idea for 20 Homes by Christmas began during our CEO SleepWalk to the Vinnies CEO Sleepout. Spending time alongside people experiencing homelessness took me straight back to my own journey, and I found it incredibly emotional. 

“We met a mother and her four-year-old son sleeping in their car because their home was no longer safe due to domestic violence. I could not stop thinking about that little boy, trying to sleep in a car, with nowhere safe to wake up, while his mum did everything she could to protect him.

“Then we learned there were 588 vacant public housing properties across the ACT. We are not asking for all of them. We’re simply asking for 20 properties to bring together local trades, businesses and supporters, help get those homes ready, and give people like that mother and her son somewhere safe to live by Christmas. 

“Behind every vacant house could be a family waiting for a fresh start. We have the people, the resources and the determination to help. We just need the opportunity.”

Quotes attributable to Housing All Australians:

“Housing All Australians supports the 20 Homes by Christmas campaign as it speaks to the core foundation of what we stand for - government, community and industry coming together to solve the extreme housing shortage and provide safe and dignified shelter for vulnerable people. 

“As the waiting list for public housing grows, and an ageing stock of houses continues to fall into disrepair, this moment can galvanise everyone into action, understanding that it’s a fundamental human right - not a political football or debate to be avoided. We stand ready, willing and able to deliver these homes for those most in need.”

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

BACKGROUND: 

The campaign is being spearheaded by Jonny Warren, Founder of Jonny Warren Properties, who has lived experience of homelessness including rough sleeping. He is asking the ACT Government to identify and approve 20 suitable vacant properties for renovation, and has committed to sourcing building supplies, tradies and project managers to get the homes ready for tenants. Mr Emerson is backing the initiative, which also has the support of Housing All Australians and ACT Shelter.

Since the campaign was launched, more than 200 Canberrans have volunteered to help.

Last month, Mr Emerson wrote to the Minister for Housing and Homelessness, Suzanne Orr MLA, calling for the ACT Government to urgently identify 20 suitable properties for the campaign. This has not yet occurred.

You can find Mr Emerson’s motion here, which is set to be debated at approximately 3pm on Wednesday 16 September (today).

Under questioning from Mr Emerson during Estimates hearings in late July (see timestamp 1:49:15), ACT Government officials revealed that the number of vacant public housing dwellings in the ACT had grown to 588 – 285 of which need maintenance or upgrades to be tenantable. Meanwhile, Canberra’s public housing waitlist has grown to 3,652 approved applicants.