Public trust in the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) government’s management of housing has dropped by 10% in just three months, according to a recent report from the public policy think tank Amplify. The research reveals that 72% of Canberrans are dissatisfied with the cost of new homes, while 56% express concerns regarding the quality of these developments. The findings highlight a growing discontent among residents about the state of housing policy in the region.
Less than half of Canberrans feel confident about their housing situation for the upcoming year, and nearly 40% reported making sacrifices to maintain their living conditions. These results were gathered prior to the recent interest rate hike, indicating a pressing need for effective housing solutions. Georgina Harrisson, the chief executive of Amplify, emphasized that the ACT is struggling to meet the housing needs of its residents despite being on track to deliver 21,140 homes over the next five years. This figure represents 98% of the population-adjusted housing target, marking the strongest performance in Australia.
“The ACT is closest in the country to meeting its housing target, yet trust has fallen faster than anywhere else,” Harrisson stated. “This tells us people care about affordability, quality, and whether new housing genuinely improves their prospects.” Her comments reflect a troubling paradox: while the government’s housing targets appear ambitious, community trust is eroding, suggesting a disconnect between policy and public perception.
The report indicates that the ACT government must enhance its engagement with citizens regarding housing initiatives. Harrisson noted, “Governments can still rebuild confidence and earn back trust – but only by delivering on their promises with real transparency and pace.” She urged for more decisive actions on housing, stressing that building homes more quickly and reducing construction costs are essential steps to address the ongoing crisis.
“Too many Canberrans have all but lost confidence in the prospect of home ownership for themselves or their children, and this must be a central focus for all governments in upcoming budgets,” she added.
Nationwide, trust in the federal government concerning housing has also declined, falling by 8% within the same period. Approximately 67% of Australians express dissatisfaction with federal housing policies. Amplify’s research, which surveyed over 4,000 people across the country, found that more than 86% of Australians support increasing housing supply to tackle issues within the sector. Furthermore, around 90% of respondents believe the government must act on what they deem the “excessive cost of building new homes.”
In a recent update on housing targets, ACT Planning Minister Chris Steel highlighted that the ACT outperformed all other Australian jurisdictions in new dwelling completions during the first year of the national housing accord. The ACT government has committed to facilitating 30,000 new dwellings by 2030, with 25,947 new homes already accounted for in its housing supply and land release program through 2029-30.
The update also noted that an analysis of data from the September quarter of 2025 indicated the private sector is expected to contribute approximately 9,500 new homes on land owned by private developers. As government-owned land becomes scarcer, Steel emphasized the importance of government involvement in enabling housing through direct investment in public, community, and affordable homes, as well as planning and zoning reforms to support the private sector in delivering new homes.
The situation presents a significant challenge for the ACT government, as it must navigate public dissatisfaction while striving to meet ambitious housing targets. The government faces the crucial task of restoring trust and confidence among its citizens, all while addressing the pressing need for affordable and quality housing solutions.
