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Build to Rent to Buy and the Strathnairn Women’s Housing Initiative

Community Housing provider CHC Australia, with support from the ACT Government, today launched an innovative new housing project aimed at providing single women on moderate incomes with a clear pathway to homeownership.

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Media Release 5 Feb 2026

ACT lease variation charge cuts and priority approvals will help deliver more social and affordable homes 5 February 2026 CHC Australia welcomes the ACT Government’s announcement today to reduce lease variation charges (LVC) for developments that deliver social and affordable housing, describing the change as a transformative initiative that will accelerate the delivery of new homes for Canberrans under rental pressure.  Under the new settings, projects of at least 10 homes and where 15 per cent or more of these include social or affordable rentals will be eligible.  For Community Housing Provider (CHP)-owned and managed homes, the Government will reduce LVC charges by up to $250,000 per dwelling, or up to $100,000 per eligible dwelling for projects not owned by a registered CHP.  CHC Australia CEO Nathan Dal Bon said: “We welcome the ACT Government’s LVC reforms and the legislation that underpins them. This initiative will substantially improve the feasibility of new housing projects and strengthen our ability to deliver more long-term social and affordable rental homes for Canberrans who need them.”  Today’s changes follow legislation passed last year that removes third-party appeals to the ACT Civil & Administrative Tribunal for public and community housing proposals, with CHP’s benefitting from the same appeal exemptions as public housing. The ACT Planning (Territory Priority Project) Amendments Bill 2025 applies to registered CHP projects generally capped at 100 dwellings with at least 15 per cent community housing.  “The Priority Project changes have already improved certainty for registered community housing providers.  Coupled with today’s LVC reforms, the ACT is using two levers — greater planning certainty and enhanced project feasibility — to help get more homes built and give tenants faster access to stable, affordable housing,” Mr. Dal Bon said.  CHC Australia said the reforms supported the ACT Government’s broader housing goal of 30,000 new homes by 2030, including 5,000 public, community and affordable homes. 

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Media Release 19 Dec 2025

New housing pathway gives priority to Canberra veterans in rental stress 19 December 2025 This month, the first veteran moved into a CHC Australia home, marking a significant milestone in a new partnership between the Returned & Services League ACT (RSL ACT) and CHC to provide long-term housing in the Canberra region for those who have served.  Community housing provider CHC Australia and RSL ACT have established a priority program for service men and women in rental stress, giving veterans and their families access to homes in CHC Australia’s existing portfolio, with the first tenant moving into Harrison in Canberra’s north-east. The model will also be integrated into new developments, representing up to 5 per cent of CHC’s upcoming projects.   Under the model, veterans can rent a CHC home for less than 75 per cent of market rates. In addition, some income-based properties will be offered at even lower rates – typically between 25 and 30 per cent of household income – to support long-term affordability and housing stability.  While the program will be open to a range of service personnel and their families, early tenants are expected to be primarily single parents.  CHC Australia recognises the distinct and often complex challenges veterans face in the housing system. The organisation has partnered with RSL ACT to help design and implement a dedicated Veteran Housing Priority Access Model, backed by CHC’s team and Board, which include individuals with personal and professional connections to Australia’s Defense community.   CHC Australia CEO Nathan Dal Bon said: “Veterans face some of the highest barriers in the housing system.  Together with RSL ACT, we are creating a pathway that doesn’t leave them behind. We are proud to be working with RSL ACT and are committed to building this pilot into a scalable, long-term response to veterans’ housing needs. This partnership strengthens both organisations and delivers what matters most: an affordable home for someone who has served, and a foundation for many more to follow.”  RSL ACT President Peter Baldwin said: "The RSL exists to support veterans and their families, and access to safe and affordable housing is one of the most fundamental needs we hear about every day. We welcome this partnership with CHC Australia, which will deliver practical support to those who have served. Initiatives like this strengthen the wellbeing of veterans and their families and demonstrate what can be achieved when organisations work together with purpose."  More than 22,000 veterans live in the ACT, with more than 15,000 no longer serving in the forces*. Despite their service, veterans continue to face acute housing challenges with homelessness rates nearly three times higher than those of civilians, but remain significantly underrepresented in formal housing support services.  The model aligns with priorities set by the ACT Government, the Department of Veterans’ Affairs, as well as national funding programs such as the National Housing Infrastructure Facility.  To support access to the program, veterans will be guided through the application process including information sessions and one-on-one assistance.  For more information or to discuss your options, please contact the CHC Australia team on 02 6248 7716 or via chc@chcaustralia.com.au; or contact the The Returned and Services League Australian Capital Territory (RSL ACT) office on (02) 9161 7690 or admin@actrsl.org.au  Sources ACT Office for Veterans - ACT Government Veteran Homelessness Support — RSL Australia — RSL Australia

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Support services open this Christmas to support Canberrans

Should you or your family need any assistance over the 2025 Christmas period, we have summarised a list of supports available in the ACT. FOOD + GIFT ASSISTANCE 🎁Communities at Work Christmas Appeal - Food hampers, toys, and gift cards for families in need. 🎁Canberra Basket Brigade - Delivers baskets of food and gifts anonymously to families doing it tough. Email: canberrabasketbrigade@magicmoments.org.au 🎁HandUp Food – Canberra City Care (Charnwood) - Distributes Christmas hampers and offers low-cost groceries. 🎁The Salvation Army (Canberra City Corps) (Braddon) - Food hampers, toy vouchers, and Christmas meals. 🎁Vinnies Night Patrol Vans - Operating Christmas Day: food, clothing, and hygiene items at Dickson Library and Veterans’ Park. FREE COMMUNITY CHRISTMAS DAY MEALS 🍴St John’s Care Community Lunch - Christmas Day, 12-1:30 pm, St John’s Anglican Church, 45 Constitution Avenue, Reid. Open to everyone; no bookings required. Guests can sit inside or outside under the trees. 🍴Canberra City Salvos Christmas Dinner - Christmas Day, 4:30 pm, 2 Fawkner Street, Braddon. For people in need or experiencing isolation. 🍴UnitingCare Kippax - Christmas Day, 12-1:30pm, Kippax Uniting Community Centre, cr. Luke St. & Harding Cres., Holt. Christmas Lunch for those in need 🍴Vinnies Night Patrol Vans - Christmas Day evening, Dickson Library (7 pm) & Veterans’ Park, City (8 pm). Distributes sandwiches, tea, coffee, clothing, blankets, and hygiene items. EMERGENCY RELIEF 🥫St John’s Care Emergency Relief Centre - 45 Constitution Ave, Reid ACT. Food, clothing, bedding, prescriptions, bus tickets, and Christmas hampers. 🥫Canberra Food Relief Network - multiple food pantries across ACT; info via VolunteeringACT. MENTAL HEALTH + FAMILY SUPPORT 🫶Medicare Mental Health Centres (City and Tuggeranong) - Free walk-in mental health support or call 1800 595 212. 🫶Lifeline Canberra - 24/7 crisis support, call 13 11 14. 🫶Domestic Violence Crisis Service ACT, 24/7 support for family violence: Call 6280 0900. 🫶Beyond Blue - On their forums, tips for coping with family stress and conflict during the festive season.

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Media Release 3 Dec 2025

ACT’s first Build to Rent to Buy program to help working women break into the housing market 3 December 2025 Community Housing provider CHC Australia, with support from the ACT Government, today launched an innovative new housing project aimed at providing single women on moderate incomes with a clear pathway to homeownership. The Strathnairn Women’s Housing Initiative will deliver the ACT’s first Build to Rent to Buy project, offering secure, affordable rental housing with a structured transition to ownership within 10 years for single women — including those with children — who are struggling to buy in Canberra’s increasingly unaffordable market. CHC Australia CEO Nathan Dal Bon said: “With cost-of-living pressures, many Canberrans —particularly financially vulnerable women — are struggling with day-to-day expenses, let alone building a deposit to break into the housing market. This pilot initiative seeks to disrupt that cycle supporting participants to steadily build savings through reduced rent, while also giving them the opportunity to share in the property’s capital growth.” The project, backed by a $4.5 million ACT Government seed grant, will deliver 22 one-, two- and three-bedroom townhouses in Strathnairn, part of the exciting new Ginninderry development. Under the concept, eligible participants pay an affordable rent set at just below 75 per cent of market value, creating the financial room to save a deposit. The programme offers up to 10 years of tenancy stability, with a flexible window to purchase the home between years six and ten. When ready, tenants can use their accumulated savings as the deposit and, where needed, CHC can also apply a share of the property’s capital growth to help the tenant access financing to purchase the home. The process is fair, transparent, and supportive, giving working women a genuine, structured pathway to home ownership without overextending financially. The program welcomes women aged 25 to 45 years and typically on low to moderate incomes such as those in the ACT’s essential workforce including emergency service workers, nurses, educators, early childhood, aged and disability care workers. Participants can access early financial health checks and receive practical advice on saving and loan readiness from their own bank or with support from program partners NAB and ServiceOne. Income limits are set based on home size to help keep the program accessible and the mortgage manageable. Financial readiness is a cornerstone of the pilot, with prospective tenants encouraged to seek financial advice to understand loan requirements. The early financial health checks are designed to set tenants up for success. “Our intent is simple and ambitious, to reduce housing stress for women and their children and create a clear, supported pathway to build assets and intergenerational wealth,” Mr Dal Bon said. “If the pilot is successful, we intend to replicate the model through future rounds of Build to Rent to Buy housing.” CHC has opened the Expression of Interest process for the Strathnairn pilot. Prospective tenants can complete a self-qualification form via CHC’s website, confirming eligibility for citizenship, income, tenancy suitability, and intent to save. The new homes are under construction with completion expected in the first quarter of 2026. Images, floorplans, and program information are available online. The homes are being built by independent local contractor, Renaissance Homes. For more information and to complete an Expression of Interest, visit chcaustralia.com.au/strathnairn

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CHC 2024–25 Impact Statement and Annual Report is now available

The CHC 2024–25 Impact Statement and Annual Report is now available — and it shows the scale of what a small, committed team can deliver. Across a combined portfolio of around 800 homes, CHC and HomeGround supported 2,100 people across 857 tenancies last year. We invested over $1.3 million into maintaining and improving more than 530 homes, and 99.7% of our properties now meet or exceed ACT energy efficiency standards, lowering costs for the households who rely on us. But here’s what the report can’t show. It can’t capture the late nights, the urgent call-outs, the difficult conversations, or the persistence it takes to keep people safely housed. It can’t reflect the consideration, compassion and problem-solving that sit behind every tenancy, every repair, and every household we support. The real impact sits in the work our incredible staff and contractors do quietly, relentlessly, and with enormous care. That’s the part that never makes it into charts or tables but it’s exactly why these numbers matter. The full Annual Report is now available for partners, stakeholders and community members to read in full here: CHC 2024–25 Impact Statement and Annual Report

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ESG Report 2023-24

Building Sustainable, Inclusive Communities Our ESG Report 2023-24 outlines our commitment to responsible, sustainable, and impactful housing outcomes. The report sets out how CHC is embedding ESG principles across our operations and demonstrates how our strategy contributes to the long-term impact and value we deliver in the social and affordable housing sector. Building Sustainable, Inclusive Communities

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Resident’s story: Ann Lawless

‘My circumstances are typical’:  Why stable housing matters Moving constantly took a toll on Ann Lawless’s health. Rapidly rising rental costs during the pandemic forced the retired academic out of her Western Australian home, triggering two years of temporary stays and instability. The 68-year-old, whose academic field was health sociology, lived in boarding houses, tents in caravan parks, house-sat and slept on couches. "There is a constant need to look into the future, and you can't see one," Dr Lawless says of those years. A house-sitting opportunity took Dr Lawless and her beloved pet cockatiel of 20 years, Bernie, to Launceston. But the constant travel depleted her finances as well as her health. Concerned about her well-being, Dr Lawless’s doctor urged her to find a more stable and permanent place to live. Moving back to Canberra’s she found property in Dickson, but 95 per cent of her income went towards the rent, leaving little for other essentials. Vital medications and furniture were unaffordable. "Food is a challenge,” she says of that time. “Hunger is real for people in these circumstances.” Sharing her story was important to highlight the need for safe, secure and stable housing.  "My circumstances are fairly typical of older women.” Before the pandemic, Dr Lawless says she never missed paying rent and had a perfect inspection record. Then, private rental costs surged, and few homes were available.” Being evicted from her Western Australian rental home was a period of “deep personal shock and distress”. In March, Dr Lawless and Bernie moved into a two-bedroom home in Canberra’s Taylor, operated by CHC. After three years of instability and stress, the experience of a stable and affordable home was overwhelming, says Dr Lawless. "Without it, I would now be looking to move to a caravan park because I could not afford to stay where I was.”

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