As part of its pledge to drive improved outcomes across homelands, the Territory Labor Government is overhauling the way it delivers services to the hundreds of traditional living areas scattered right across the NT.
To this end, Aboriginal Housing NT has been granted $500,000 over two years to support its members to provide input and advice towards a new homelands policy.
The investment follows the release of an independent Review of the Homelands Policy earlier this year that recommended the development of a regionalised service model that would reduce red-tape; give service providers greater flexibility; and allow residents to have a greater say about how money is spent in their homeland.
The NT Government has committed to working with homelands service providers to develop this model. Funding will assist Aboriginal Housing NT to consult members and build capacity of the homelands service sector.
The scope of works includes:
developing and implementing a consultation strategy for homelands service providers;establishing provider forums and other mechanisms to share good industry practice;communicating NT Government decisions and plans to service providers regarding homelands policy and grants; andproviding advice and feedback to the NT Government regarding common challenges and opportunities facing the sector, such as workforce and training.
Under the NT Homelands Program, $38.8 million per annum goes towards the delivery of housing maintenance, municipal and essential services to approximately 400 eligible homelands. Services are delivered by 38 homeland service providers, with existing service agreements to conclude in June 2023.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Remote Housing Chansey Paech:
“Homelands are an important option for Aboriginal Territorians, enabling them to remain culturally connected and choose lifestyles that best suit themselves and their families.
“Our Government is working with land councils, the National Indigenous Australians Agency and Aboriginal Housing NT to develop shared approaches to homelands.
“We are investing in a better way to do business with homelands residents and the development of a new policy is just the beginning.”
Quotes attributable to Chair of Aboriginal Housing NT Leeanne Caton:
“AHNT’s opportunity to work with relevant stakeholders to develop a regionalised service model will ensure Homelands residents have input into issues that affect them directly.
“AHNT has also secured an additional five years of funding to assist Aboriginal Community Housing providers across the NT to secure national registration. This is required in order for the stock transfer of public housing to community-based providers to occur into the future.
“Aboriginal housing needs to be in Aboriginal hands and the NT Government has acknowledged this by agreeing to fund AHNT to address this critical issue.”
