The Department of Housing has a range of programs in place to assist Aboriginal people access rental housing and home ownership.
This includes the provision of 2,500 additional rental homes for Aboriginal people beyond the mainstream program, managed by the Department. Also available are a range of counselling and support services, a targeted home loan scheme and various construction and housing initiatives for Aboriginal communities across the state.
The Department recognises that housing is a significant issue for Aboriginal people. It has been identified by the Task Force on Aboriginal Social Justice, the Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody and other reports as a priority area.
The Department of Housing and the Equal Opportunity Commission have issued a Joint Statement outlining a commitment to working together to address some of the concerns raised by the Commission’s 2004 Inquiry into Provision of Public Housing to Aboriginal People in Western Australia.
For more information on the Investigation into the Provision of Public Housing to Aboriginal People in Western Australia, go to the Equal Opportunity Commission Web site.
An important initiative has been the provision of counselling and other support services for Aboriginal tenants, including Aboriginal Customer Support Officers who are available to help with tenancy issues. The Aboriginal Tenant Support Service (ATSS) understands the cultural needs of Aboriginal people and helps tenants to resolve problems before they become insurmountable.
There are also specific initiatives in place to help more Aboriginal people make the transition from renting to home ownership. The Aboriginal Home Ownership Scheme continues to prove popular with 60 loans totalling over $4 million approved during 2000/2001. Since the scheme began 300 loans have been approved totalling over $26 million, with a yearly average of between 40 - 60 loans worth $4 million.
The Department of Housing also provides housing and infrastructure for Aboriginal communities in many remote areas of the state. Every effort is made to involve community members in the design of their housing and to provide specific training opportunities associated with the construction, repair and maintenance of these dwellings. As well as constructing new buildings, the Department assists communities to manage their housing stock and deal with ongoing issues such as repairs and maintenance. Click here for more information on specific programs.
Department of Housing and Equal Opportunity Commission
Safe and appropriate housing is essential to the well-being of all people. Without adequate housing, health is at risk and people are unable to make the most of the education, training and employment opportunities that will help them and their families get on in life.
The Department of Housing recognises the important contribution it can make to the lives of so many Western Australians and is working with the Equal Opportunity Commission and other government and non-government agencies to continually improve the services it provides, to meet the reasonable expectations of all stakeholders.
Our organisations are working together, and with Aboriginal people, to make the best use of our combined resources to address their housing needs.
