Canberra has the second lowest portion of affordable rental properties for people on the JobKeeper wage subsidy, according to new figures.
Less than one per cent of Canberra's rental properties would be considered affordable to an individual on the government's JobKeeper wage subsidy.
For couples both on the JobKeeper subsidy almost one-third of rental properties are considered affordable.
The data released by Corelogic found 0.5 per cent of Canberra rentals were affordable on one JobKeeper salary and 32.6 per cent were affordable on two JobKeeper salaries.
A rental is considered unaffordable if it is more than 30 per cent of a household income.
Based on the $1500 a fortnight JobKeeper subsidy, this would be $450 a fortnight for an individual and $900 for a couple.
Canberra is behind Sydney, where only 0.2 per cent of properties are affordable for individuals and 30.3 per cent are affordable for couples.
Nationally, 2.2 per cent of rental properties are considered affordable for individuals and 58.2 per cent are considered affordable for a couple.
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The JobKeeper payment was announced by Prime Minister Scott Morrison last week. Businesses that have had a 30 per cent reduction in income would receive $1500 every fortnight for all employees.
The Corelogic analysis does not take into consideration a voluntary employer top-up.
For those on Newstart payments, which doubled last month, 0.1 per cent of properties are affordable in Canberra and 3.6 per cent of properties are affordable for couples.
Corelogic head of research Eliza Owen said given social distancing measures and likely decrease in rental demand an even higher portion of income may become available.
"It is likely that current social distancing measures would see less discretionary spending, enabling a higher portion of income to be used on rent," she said.
"Another note on this data is that it reflects rental valuations as of early April. As income and job prospects decline, the private rental market will likely see a downwards adjustment with landlords of vacant properties potentially having to lower rents in order to meet the market."
Ms Owen said the national cabinet's rent package, due to be discussed tomorrow, would also have an impact.
It came as the ACT government announced last week it would offer tax relief for residential landlords who reduce rent by more than 25 per cent for tenants experiencing financial hardship.
The rebate would be equal to half the amount of the rent reduction, up to a maximum of $100 per week for the next six months.
ACT Chief Minister Andrew Barr said this could provide rental relief of up to $200 per week for tenants.
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