Common Ground Canberra

The Common Ground approach aims to end homelessness. It is completely different from any comparable housing project you will have heard about or experienced in the ACT.

Firstly, it is a partnership between community groups, the private sector and the government, to offer a supported and inclusive community for homeless individuals and families, as well as low-income earners.

Secondly, with a mix of around 50 percent income-earning households, Common Ground aims to create a community with good role models for all residents, rather than a concentrated pocket of disadvantage.

Thirdly, the development will be a secure facility with a 24 hour caretaker and security access to the building by residents. It will include support services on site for people who have need for those services.

One of the fundamental features of the Common Ground approach is that housing is of very high quality, and suited to its environment. For many of these people they will for the first time have a high quality, well maintained residence that they can take pride in and call home.

We believe this development, as it progresses, will provide opportunities for homeless people who have had little opportunity and little support in their lives so far. The evidence from other Common Ground developments is that this approach works, ending the cycle of homelessness in which some people have become trapped.

There are Common Ground projects already up and running in Adelaide, Melbourne and Sydney, with others being built in other Australian cities. They have attracted positive reactions from local residents due to features such as the quality of the buildings and the attention paid to security. We are confident that a similar development in Canberra will also be successful and integrate well with the community and environment.

Members of the Common Ground Canberra board have worked with the ACT Government to develop a feasibility study to understand the many sites, design and planning details. This report has been completed and presented to the ACT Government February 2012. The ACT Government in its 2012-13 budget allocated a further $130,000 to undertake forward design.