THE wait list for public housing in the ACT has “exploded” by 44 per cent over the last three years, increasing to 3175 Canberrans this month from 2209 in 2020, says Canberra Liberal Mark Parton.

“This ACT Labor-Greens government continually hides where they are at in regard to growth and renewal of public housing stock,” said the housing and homelessness spokesman.

“There is no excuse for why the minister cannot provide a snapshot every six months that clearly shows the amount of public housing stock, how much is being built, knocked down and how many additional properties have been purchased.

“Currently, sifting through the documents and annual reports and the budget it is very opaque and impossible to know exactly where we are at with public housing stock, and I think the reason for that is because they are clearly not going to meet their targets.”

Parton said the Labor-Greens government committed to adding 400 public housing dwellings to the stock by 2025 which was later revised to 2026-27 and it was still unlikely the target would be met.

“Despite the Greens and the Housing and Homelessness Minister [Rebecca Vassarotti] going to the last election promising a home for all, it is very concerning that the wait list for public housing continues to grow with some Canberrans waiting over five years for a home,” he said.