National housing campaign Everybody’s Home says the Federal Government’s commitment to fast-track new remote housing to ‘close the gap’ is encouraging, but must only be the beginning.
The government has announced it would spend $111.7 million on a new one-year partnership with the Northern Territory Government to fast-track new remote housing and target overcrowding.
A recent report found the Northern Territory is worst affected by Australia’s housing crisis, with 21 per cent of regional households experiencing homelessness, living in overcrowded homes, or in rental stress.
Everybody’s Home national spokesperson, Maiy Azize, said Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people were disproportionately affected by the nation’s housing crisis.
“Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are more likely to experience homelessness, live in overcrowded homes, or be in rental stress,” she said.
“One of the most effective ways the Federal Government could close the gap is by co-designing and building more culturally appropriate social homes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
“Improving lives starts at home. Having a safe, decent, affordable home is the foundation for a healthier, happier life.
“There is no way to end disadvantage without decent, affordable homes. Overcrowding is bad for health, bad for families, and bad for children. Children can’t learn and thrive in loud, distracting environments or insecure homes.
“The gap is wide and the Government must do more to close it. Social homes can be the foundation for that change.
“We look forward to working with the Government in developing a new National Housing and Homelessness Agreement that includes new investment in Indigenous housing over the next decade.”
