A peak body for residential housing wants the next ACT government to implement a four-year moratorium on new regulation and taxes on home building.
The Housing Industry Association ACT also wants the government to relax planning rules across some of the territory's residential zones to allow for larger homes and higher density.
The association has outlined its priorities in a policy document for the 2024 election, with its executive director saying the territory was in a "housing emergency".
In a foreword to the document, HIA ACT and southern NSW executive director Greg Weller said the territory was failing "across almost every housing metric".
He pointed to a reduction in residential dwelling commencements, the increased costs to service mortgages and low rental vacancy rates.
"The private housing market has been squeezed by a lack of shovel-ready land, and an explosion in regulation, red tape and taxation," Mr Weller said.
"Yet, at the same time as the private construction and rental sectors are constrained, there has been a failure of government to meet its obligations for public housing.
"The ACT has a housing emergency. To do nothing other than continue with the status quo is not an option."
HIA's policy document said a commitment to stop any new regulations over the next term would improve the delivery of new homes in the territory.
The association has also said the "sustainability burden" needed to be reduced.
"Protecting the environment and retaining Canberra's 'bush capital' mantle are important goals that are supported by the housing industry and the community," the policy document said.
"However, there needs to be an honest conversation about the impact of some sustainability policies to better balance their cost and their impact on housing delivery.
"Sustainability should complement, not undermine, affordability and access to housing."
The association wants the government to remove the 120 square-metre limit for a second dwelling on RZ1 blocks over 800 square metres. They also want building heights to increase to three storeys in RZ2 zones, which are medium-density zones around suburbs shops.
HIA has also called for the government to prepare a 15-year forward plan for development and land release.
The association also reiterated its call for the government to create a housing super portfolio with the one minister being responsible for housing, building, planning, territory services and land development.
"One of the many impediments to housing delivery in the ACT is the fragmented approach by a range of government agencies," the policy document said.
"The outcome is a lack of consistency and leadership across all aspects of housing delivery within government."
