Two Aboriginal families will enter home ownership for the first time through the McGowan Government’s $9.7 million Jalbi Jiya housing program.
Jalbi Jiya means ‘your home’ in the language of the Yawuru people, the traditional owners of Broome.
Housing Minister John Carey, today met with one of the first families entering home ownership through the program.
The program was co-designed and is run in partnership with Nyamba Buru Yawuru (NBY), the operational company of the Yawuru people.
Funded through the Department of Communities North West Aboriginal Housing Fund, the Jalbi Jiya program was established in 2020 and offers culturally safe support services, alongside 25 affordable rental homes.
Seventeen of the 25 homes are transitional homes which are designed to provide a pathway from renting to home ownership.
Families that occupy these homes are provided a variety of supports, including financial counselling, to assist them on the journey to potential home ownership.
The remaining eight properties are used as long-term rentals to provide stability to families and enable economic participation.
All 25 homes in the program are currently occupied with several more families on the pathway to home ownership.
As stated by Housing Minister John Carey:
“The Jalbi Jiya program is a fantastic initiative and it’s great that in less than a year we are already seeing a number of Aboriginal families entering home ownership for the first time.
“A number of other families are also on the path to home ownership through this program, and it’s clear from the early outcomes this is a successful model.
“Providing someone with a home can be a transformative, life-changing event. A home is more than just a building – it is a place that provides stability, safety, connection to community and is at the core of improving a person’s overall wellbeing.”
As stated by Aboriginal Affairs Minister Stephen Dawson:
“The early success of this program really demonstrates the benefit of having Aboriginal designed and led solutions and services.
“This program aligns with the McGowan Government’s commitment to Closing the Gap, ensuring Aboriginal people can secure appropriate, affordable housing that is aligned with their priorities and needs.
“I want to congratulate the team at the Department of Communities and Nyamba Buru Yawuru on this important milestone, and I look forward to seeing more families access home ownership through this program.”
As stated by Kimberley MLA Divina D’Anna:
“Since the introduction of this program by the McGowan Government, numerous Aboriginal families have been supported in the Broome region, including single-parent families.
“While the program is focussed around housing, it takes a holistic approach by supporting participants in a range of ways that will help them maintain and manage a tenancy or home ownership.
“I want to congratulate the team at Nyamba Buru Yawuru for their work and partnership with the Department of Communities, and for the success of the program so far.”
