Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Housing

Background

The 1996 census reports an 80% increase in the ACT’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander population over that recorded in the 1991 census.  Thirty per cent of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander households rent in the private market compared to 24% nationally and 28% of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander households are in public rental compared to 23% of these households nationally.  The ACT Government is the only State or Territory that does not receive Aboriginal Rental Housing Program (ARHP) funds under the Commonwealth State Housing Agreement.  Housing for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples is largely provided through mainstream public housing.

A Trilateral Housing Agreement for the ACT

The ACT Government has made public commitments through the Implementation of the Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody, the Commonwealth State Housing Bilateral Agreement 1999 – 2003 and the ACT’s response to the Bringing Them Home Report to prepare an Agreement setting out strategies and future directions for improving the outcomes of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander  housing in the ACT.

The Trilateral (Bilateral) Agreement is currently the subject of final consultation with the Aboriginal and Torres Strait community.   The Commonwealth Department of Family and Community Services and ATSIC Regional Council are currently considering an amended draft of the Agreement. 

Key priorities of the draft ACT Agreement include:

• streamlining management arrangements and pooling resources; 
• seeking to provide a balance of culturally appropriate and sustainable community and public housing options; and
• the development of an Indigenous housing provider.

Other Projects

The status of current Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander housing projects and services are:

• an Indigenous Housing Liaison Service was established through Winnunga Nimmityjah Health Service in October, 2000.
• Housing Policy negotiates and develops community based housing projects with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisations.
• Aboriginal Hostels have re-established a hostel in Macquarie to provide supported accommodation to young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people with training and education options.
• The Department of Justice and Community Services is establishing hostel-style accommodation to provide young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people with emergency and short term housing options.
• Consultations are under way with the community on long term accommodation options for young people. There is an emphasis on Indigenous housing in these discussions.

For any further information, please ring Kate Wells on 62071315.