EDIT: We would like to issue a correction regarding our ACT Budget Media Release published 25/6/26. We are pleased to clarify that an additional $400,000 has been allocated to the Escaping Violence Payment. Every effort goes into ensuring the accuracy of our policy work and analysis, and we are grateful for the correction provided.
YWCA Canberra welcomes the ACT Government’s commitment of $19.6 million over four years, to continue the funding boost for Canberra’s homelessness services. Demand for homelessness support in the ACT continues to increase, with the number of people seeking assistance increasing from 1,774 in December 2024 to 1,915 by March 2025.
Our own Next Door program, funded through this measure, supported 96 women who were aged 50 and over, who were in housing crisis over 2023-2024.
“This is a welcome commitment from the ACT Government. YWCA Canberra, as a specialist homelessness service, had been deeply worried about the continuation of this funding. We have raised it with the Minister, and are relieved it has been reinstated,” said Frances Crimmins CEO YWCA Canberra
We remain concerned, however, that there has been no substantive increase in funding for broader community services for vulnerable people. In particular:
- There has been no increase in the funding allocation for the Escaping Violence Payment: “This is very disappointing. This important support measure for people leaving violence has run out two years in a row now. We know we will be in the same situation come December 2025, when the money has run out but the demand remains.” – Frances Crimmins CEO YWCA Canberra.
- Land tax exemption program for affordable housing: YWCA Canberra’s Rentwell program delivers affordable housing under this initiative. The Budget increases the cap on the number of properties that can be rented out through this program to 1,000. While this is a sound endorsement of the initiative, all the risk is being carried by YWCA Canberra. The modest increase of support of $50,000 for YWCA Canberra and CHC to deliver this program is not enough to meet the administrative costs.
- Cost of Living: Rising levies and fees will have a drastic impact on modest single-income households. “Demand for our Lanyon food relief service has doubled since 2022, when we provided 1290 instances of service. That number more than doubled in 2024 to 2614 instances of service. Many new clients are in single-income households who simply do not have anything left to cut in order to make ends meet. We anticipate that many of our clients will struggle to accommodate these cost increases, and as a result, the demand for services such as food relief is likely to rise.“ – Frances Crimmins YWCA Canberra CEO
About YWCA Canberra
YWCA Canberra is a feminist not-for-profit organisation that has been providing community services and advocating for gender equality in the ACT since 1929. We work across early childhood education and care, housing and homelessness, youth services, women’s leadership, and advocacy. Our mission is to strengthen communities by supporting women, young people, and families through inclusive and innovative programs.
YWCA Canberra media contact: Eleanor Sander O’Hearn
Executive Director Communications Advocacy and Engagement
eleanor.sanderohearn@ywca-canberra.org.au
0475 240 101