NT Greens launch housing and homelessness policy in Alice Springs, promise two-year rent freeze if elected

Renter’s right are at the forefront for the Greens in the upcoming election – with the party promising a two-year rent freeze if elected. Find out what else they have in store.

Asta Hill is the Greens candidate for Braitling in the August 2024 NT election. Picture: Sara Maiorino

A two year rent freeze is one of the slew of promises the NT Greens have made ahead of the Northern Territory election at their latest policy launch.

The NT Greens launched their housing and homelessness policy at a forum in Alice Springs on July 11.

The policy was launched at the Watertank Cafe with a panel discussion featuring Greens candidates for Braitling and Araluen Asta Hill and Hugo Wells, NT Aboriginal Investment Corporation chairperson Barb Shaw, and Aboriginal Housing NT adviser and registered architect Miriam Wallace.

The Greens policy features three core tenets: creating “real protection for renters”; provide “a good home for everyone”; and recognise homelessness “as the crisis it really is.”

To create better renter protection in the Territory, the Greens plan will strengthen renters rights via improving the Residential Tenancies Act, the policy document states.

Panelists at the NT Greens justice and community safety policy launch at the Watertank cafe in May.

The policy document states they will also immediately implement a two-year rent freeze if elected.

As part of the second tenet, the Greens state they will increase the supply of affordable housing now and into the future and “prioritise social and affordable housing for everyone”.

The policy document also states they will commit to transitioning Aboriginal housing into Aboriginal lands.

“We support the calls from Aboriginal Housing NT for a sufficient supply of appropriate and affordable housing for Aboriginal people – delivered and managed by Aboriginal-controlled organisations,” the policy states.

“This includes new housing for homelands, Aboriginal-led design and construction, and energy-efficient, climate resilient housing.”

The third tenet – of recognising homelessness as a crisis – the Greens plan to urgently provide crisis accommodation for youth and fund domestic and family violence transitional housing to support victims escaping violent homes.

NT Greens Braitling candidate Asta Hill said the Greens would commission an inquiry in order to put Aboriginal homes back on country.

“Everyone should have access to safe, secure and affordable housing, regardless of where they live, or how much they earn,” she said.

“We need to treat housing as a human right, and not a means of wealth creation.”