Aboriginal Housing

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Community Housing Construction and Upgrades Remote Areas Essential Services Program Sustainability and Development Program Tenancy Support and Skills Development In Home Pratical Support Program

AHI's community construction activities provides for the design, tender and construction of new housing and upgrade maintenance exclusively within discrete Aboriginal Communities, where no other housing assistance can be accessed. Communities provide major input into the design and siting of their housing, and training and employment opportunities are available for community members associated with the construction, repair and maintenance of buildings within their community.

Funding for Community Housing Construction and Upgrades for each ATSIC Region is determined by the relevant Regional Council with advice from AHI. The decisions are based on demonstrated need such as overcrowding, deficiency in housing stock and the condition/amenity level of existing housing.

Houses are designed, constructed and renovated in accordance with the National Indigenous Housing Guide to ensure sustainability considerations are factored into the process.

Eligibility Criteria for Aboriginal Community Construction Projects is determined by the following:

•  Secure Land Tenure
Communities should have secure land tenure granted (or agreed to be granted) by the State in accordance with guidelines established by the Minister for Lands. In cases where secure land tenure has not been granted (or agreed to be granted) a community may be eligible for funding if the community meets all other criteria and has in the past received significant funding support from the State.

•  Essential Service Infrastructure
Communities shall have sufficient water and power resources to adequately service the proposed new housing. Consideration may be given to minor extension of existing service facilities, should this be a requirement for a project to proceed.

•  Incorporation of Community
The community must be an incorporated body prior to the allocation of funding for a community construction project.

•  Town Plan
Prior to approval for community construction projects, communities shall have in place a formal town plan. Where a formal plan is not in existence consideration may be given providing a draft plan has been completed and submitted to authorities for approval.

•  Demonstrated Need
Priority will be given to those communities with the highest level of need as demonstrated through the Environmental Health Needs Survey, or other information deemed appropriate by the Aboriginal Housing and Infrastructure Council .

•  Housing Management
The community should have a housing management plan in place, or being developed. Where the community does not have a housing management plan in place, consideration may be given to proceed with housing funding if the community enters into an agreement with the Department of Housing and

Works to establish a satisfactory housing management plan. The Department may assist with the establishment of a housing management plan, should this be required

The Remote Area Essential Services Program (RAESP) provides a vital repair and maintenance service for power, water and wastewater systems to several remote Aboriginal communities in WA. Regional RAESP service providers rotate visits every 6-8 weeks to service water, power and wastewater services and to rectify any problems. RAESP provides a vital repair and maintenance service for breakdowns is also provided.

The program is implemented in conjunction with Aboriginal Torres Strait Islander Commission under a joint program management arrangement.

The RAESP training program is a strong community based training and employment initiative aiming to increase community participation in the project by providing "real jobs" paid employment at the end of the training program. Trainees are selected from the nominated communities with the training being delivered in the community wherever possible.

The traineeship is accredited, practically based, contains a strong hands-on element, is focused on specific community needs and utilises community- based equipment. Trainers may be Qualified Service Provider employees or trainers employed by a training organisation engaged by the Service Provider. The trainers will make regular, scheduled visits to the communities to deliver on the job training.

The curriculum is nationally accredited which means that the qualifications can be transported within Australia. The curriculum has been broken into modules and covers the broad range of skills and knowledge required for the competent and safe operation of community-based essential service equipment.

For further information on the Community Construction Program or the Remote Area Essential Services Program:
The Department of Housing &Works Aboriginal Housing & Infrastructure
Manager, Capital Works, Essential Services & Maintenance Programs
99 Plain Street, East Perth WA 6004
Telephone: (08) 9222 4777
Toll free: 1800 621 82

The Sustainability and Development Program aims to improve the capacity of Aboriginal community housing organisations and communities to maintain and manage their houses and assets relating to housing.

The key functions of the Sustainability and Development Program are:

•  Assist discrete Aboriginal communities in employing key administration personnel to assist Community Councils in the day to day running of the community.

•  Provision of operational funding support and assistance in the development of housing management plans that contain:

•  objectives for housing assistance delivery;

•  an asset management plan including a cyclical maintenance program;

•  a tenancy management plan, including client consultation and feedback mechanisms;

•  appropriate information and training for tenants to ensure tenants' responsibilities are understood and their rights protected;

•  rent collection policies and systems; and

•  financial practices and reporting systems that link resources to outcomes.

•  Implement the National Skills Development Strategy for Indigenous Community Housing Management and link training opportunities for:

•  Elected members of boards of management.

•  Paid and unpaid housing workers.

•  Community members, primary in their capacity as tenants and householders.

•  Implement the Indigenous Housing Management System which is a personal computer based housing management tool that will assist communities to manage their houses and assets relating to housing, both now and in the future. The Indigenous Housing Management System has a number of benefits, including:

•  the ability to help communities with planning and information required for funding submissions,

•  increased accountability, and

•  the ability to make more equitable decisions about housing and upgrades.

The Aboriginal Housing & Infrastructure  will provide ongoing training and support to the dedicated Indigenous Housing Management System user along with a user manual.

The Sustainability and Development Program also supports projects that focuses on:

•  increasing local government involvement in the delivery of municipal services,

•  establishing a comprehensive recruitment and workplace relations' service for remote Aboriginal communities in Western Australia, and

•  increasing Aboriginal participation in local government.

Further information on any of the Sustainability and Development Programs:
Department of Housing and Works
Aboriginal Housing Infrastructure
Manager, Sustainability and Development Programs
3 rd Floor, 99 Plain Street, East Perth WA 6004
Telephone: (08) 9222-4777
Toll Free: 1800-621-826
Facsimile: (08) 9222-4556

The Tenancy Support and Skills Development Program section within AHI aims to:

•  Provide support and advice to Aboriginal tenants and applicants of the DHW;

•  Provide a mechanism for community consultation on urban housing issues

•  Develop and monitor the Aboriginal urban construction program through the DHW, and,

•  Fund Aboriginal organisations to provide culturally appropriate advocacy support services.

Tenancy Support Team
The Program's Tenancy Support Team coordinates tenant and customer support services and include the following:

•  Provide assistance and advice to Aboriginal customers on all aspects of the DHW services and products especially those at risk of losing their tenancy.

•  Investigate complaints concerning tenancy problems.

•  Advocate and liaise between the DHW regional offices and Aboriginal customers.

•  Liaise with Government and Non-Government community based organisation and Aboriginal groups to ensure the provision of assistance and ongoing support for the DHW tenants.

Aboriginal Tenants Support Service
In addition to the Tenancy Support Team, AHI funds a number of communities to provide the Aboriginal Tenants Support Service (ATSS).

The aim of Aboriginal Tenants Support Service is to provide culturally appropriate support and information to Aboriginal tenants or prospective tenants of public housing in regional and remote areas of WA. This assistance includes provision of information on tenants rights and responsibilities and how to maintain a tenancy. The ATSS also assists Aboriginal tenants in accessing mainstream rental properties.

Housing Forums
The Urban Programs section conducts a series of Aboriginal Housing Forums throughout WA that:

•  Are a mechanism to assist with the development of programs and initiatives for the AHIC and the AHI

•  Provide an opportunity for individuals and Aboriginal community organisations to raise issues of concern relating to public rental housing.

•  Provide an opportunity for Aboriginal people to have input into the Departments policies and programs, and,

•  Provide the Department of Housing and Works with an avenue to inform the Aboriginal community of its services, products and policies.

Urban Construction Program
The Urban Construction Program provides for construction or purchase of Aboriginal rental housing properties in metropolitan and regional/remote locations throughout WA to respond to the ongoing strong demand for accommodation by Aboriginal people. The properties are managed through the Department's Homeswest Rental Services.

The number of Aboriginal applicants on the Departments waitlist strongly influences the Urban Construction Program, however, other factors such as lack of access to private rental are considered.

Further information on any of the Urban Programs:
Department of Housing and Works
Aboriginal Housing & Infrastructure  Manager, Urban Programs
3rd Floor, 99 Plain Stree t Perth WA 6004
Telphone: (08) 9222 4777
Toll free: 1800 621 826
Facsimile: (08) 9222 4556

The In-Home Practical Support Program (IHPSP) is a contemporary version of the “Homemaker Program” that operated in the 1970’s and 1980’s. The objective of the program is to improve the sustainability and longevity of Indigenous housing in remote, regional and urban areas by developing the home living skills of Aboriginal people participating in the program.

The program identifies and builds on the existing skills and knowledge in the community to deliver the program. Participants have the opportunity to develop and improve their home living skills including clean and healthy living practices, family budgeting and knowledge of tenancy obligations to manage and maintain a healthy home. The IHPSP connects with other programs and services to deliver a joined up approach in addressing environmental health, community development and social issues.

Delivery of services and activities are tailored to meet the needs of individual communities. Each service provider carries out an assessment, preferably in consultation with the community Housing Officer, to determine priorities and activities. Partnerships with other government and non-government agencies have been formed to tap into relevant programs to maximize the funding e.g. TAFE, Environmental Health (including Local Government Authorities), Department of Community Development, WA Health Department (Population and Health), etc.

The activities range from basic cleaning skills, nutrition and healthy and balanced diets (including bush tucker), personal hygiene, curtain making, gardening (including vegetables), self-esteem and confidence building, budgeting and bill payment options, parenting skills, water usage and sewage issues, use of household appliances such as stoves.