An ACT Government affordable housing initiative has been held up as best practice by industry experts.

The Government’s OwnPlace program has been highly commended at the Urban Development Institute of Australia’s (UDIA) NSW/ACT Awards for Excellence.

Delivered by the Land Development Agency in partnership with a panel of local builders, the OwnPlace program provided affordable house and land packages in Canberra.

Chief Minister Jon Stanhope said it was the second time in just two months that the program had been awarded by industry.

“It is great to see industry recognition being given to the ACT Government’s OwnPlace program,” Mr Stanhope said.

“In June, OwnPlace was awarded the Property Council of Australia’s National Innovation and Excellence Award for Government Leadership.”

The UDIA judges said OwnPlace was a “benchmark affordable housing initiative which is a model for all housing agencies to follow”.

“The objectives are being consistently achieved with quality five star housing products fully integrated within the release area development,” they added.

The judges advised other state agencies to “study the initiative and the benefits accruing to all stakeholders”.

Land Development Agency chief executive John Robertson welcomed the judges’ comments.

“OwnPlace is the first program of its kind in Australia and we are thrilled to be recognised with another industry award,” Mr Robertson said.