New stand-alone Aboriginal housing strategy

Supporting more Aboriginal South Australians into homeownership, providing job opportunities in housing and giving Aboriginal people a greater voice in determining their housing future are among the key elements of the state’s first stand-alone Aboriginal housing strategy launched today.

It follows extensive consultation with Aboriginal leaders and communities, non-government organisations and key stakeholders.

Backed by more than $83 million of investment over five years, the South Australian Aboriginal Housing Strategy 2021-31 commits to hitting the reset button on the Aboriginal housing system to build a better future for all Aboriginal South Australians.

Among the key priorities, the strategy aims to increase home ownership among Aboriginal South Australians by 10 per cent and tackles everything from crisis services, social housing and increased job opportunities in housing.

The strategy will be delivered over 10 years and outlines six key pillars and 14 key actions.

New strategy measures include:

* Increasing Aboriginal homeownership by 10% over the life of the strategy through HomeSeeker SA and a co-designed homeowner support program

* Supporting jobs for Aboriginal people and businesses in communities

* $34 million in remote area housing maintenance over five years

* $28.4 million in remote housing replacement program over six years

* $17 million new social and affordable housing over six years

* $4 million commitment for a 40-unit Elder Village in Bedford Park to house Aboriginal Elders

* Local decision-making frameworks and partnership agreements between communities, government and key agencies to drive financial independence and self-determination

* Housing solutions that are co-designed by communities to increase the cultural awareness capacity of the housing sector

* Prioritising the growth of the Aboriginal Community Controlled Housing sector

* Sector-wide service reform to ensure culturally informed housing services and supporting Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations

Premier Steven Marshall said the new strategy aims to deliver significant housing outcomes for Aboriginal South Australians.

“Our new strategy hits the reset button on the Aboriginal housing system,” said Premier Marshall.

“Ultimately, we want to help deliver real change for Aboriginal South Australians and real outcomes for Aboriginal people.

“Empowering Aboriginal South Australians by supporting them into homeownership, ensuring they have access to safe and secure housing and giving them a greater voice in determining their housing future is all crucial to helping them reach their housing aspirations.

“Over the next decade, we’re aiming to work with our communities, leaders, stakeholders and across government to deliver tangible, better outcomes for Aboriginal South Australians.” Minister for Human Services Michelle Lensink said the strategy had been shaped by the voices of Aboriginal people.

“We’re really excited to launch our new Aboriginal housing strategy – the state’s first stand-alone housing strategy which addresses the specific housing needs of Aboriginal South Australians,” said Minister Lensink.

“We know that better housing is a key factor in closing the health and life expectancy gap between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal peoples.

“Housing provides a stable place from which to access health services, access and maintain employment, attend school and generally increase social inclusion.

“Securing safe and affordable housing is currently out of reach for many Aboriginal people and our new strategy aims to empower and support more South Australians into homeownership.”

The SA Housing Authority’s Head of Aboriginal Housing Erin Woolford, a Kuyani-Arrernte woman, spearheaded the development of the new strategy and will now begin implementing it alongside key stakeholders and the community.

Every two years the State Government will commission an independent and Aboriginal-led review looking at outcomes from the strategy to ensure that Aboriginal communities across South Australia are engaged to inform the review and recommendations. Outcomes will be reported publicly.

The new Aboriginal housing strategy is in addition to the Marshall Liberal Government’s once-in-a-generation $550 million Our Housing Future 2020-30 strategy, which aims to deliver better housing outcomes for all South Australians.

To read the new strategy, visit www.housing.sa.gov.au/ahs