Families in Angurugu and Galiwin’ku have recently returned to their homes, which were extended as part of the Room to Breathe program.
In Angurugu, Miranda Lalara and her family received an extension to their home, which included two new bedrooms, plus a separate toilet and bathroom. The upgrades have reinvigorated the much-loved family home, where Miranda has lived since she was a child with her parents and four siblings. The Room to Breathe program has converted the family home into a five-bedroom residence, allowing Miranda to share her home with her sibling and adult children while ensuring there is room for generations to come.
To support Miranda and her family in settling into their refurbished home, Anindilyakwa Housing Aboriginal Corporation (AHAC) provided face-to-face advice through the Living Strong program, which assists tenants in maintaining their home and understanding their rights and responsibilities.
In Galiwin’ku, Margaret Dipulpuy Gumbula and her family received an additional two bedrooms, a storeroom, outdoor living area, accessibility modifications, an additional kitchen pantry, a new solar hot water system, as well as internal and external paint. Margaret chose yellow paint to represent her ‘clan colour’.
Under the HomeBuild initiative, Angurugu will receive 33 new builds, and 51 dwellings will receive Room to Breathe works, several of which are already completed and underway.
Galiwin’ku will receive 87 new builds under HomeBuild, and 45 homes will receive Room to Breathe works, which are already completed and underway.
The Room to Breathe program aims to improve the living conditions of Aboriginal Territorians in remote communities by extending homes and upgrading amenities. A goal to extend an identified 996 homes in remote communities is underway, with works completed to 392 homes and works currently underway in 209 homes.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Housing and Homelands Selena Uibo:
“Room to Breathe is on track with $71.2 million spent to date.
“The program is a Territory Labor Government initiative that is making tangible changes to the lives of Aboriginal Territorians and that’s something our Government is proud to have achieved.
“I look forward to meeting the families in Galiwin’ku and Angurugu who have recently moved into their renovated homes.”
