Boost to Indigenous housing a positive step forward

12/03/2024

National housing campaign Everybody’s Home says a federal government funding boost to create hundreds of homes in remote Indigenous communities is a good step forward that must be built on.

In a joint-funded venture, the federal and NT governments expect to deliver 2700 homes over the next decade. Funding will also be allocated for improvements to housing in remote homelands.

Everybody’s Home spokesperson Maiy Azize said additional federal funding to build more homes in remote Indigenous communities is welcome.

“More federal funding to help build hundreds of extra homes in Indigenous communities is a great step forward, but it can’t stop here if we want to close the gap and see an end to overcrowding and homelessness,” Ms Azize said.

“Overcrowded and poor quality housing has long been a major problem for First Nations communities. The latest Close the Gap data shows increasing the proportion of Indigenous people living in appropriately sized housing has improved but is not on track.

“Secure, decent, affordable housing is essential to end disadvantage and is the foundation for a good life – it has flow on effects to other outcomes including improved health and education. 

“We encourage the federal government to dig deep when it comes to improving the housing for and lives of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.” 

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people make up just over three per cent of the Australian population yet they represented about one in five, or 20 per cent, of all people who were homeless on Census night.