Today Ningulangu – meaning ‘belonging to: home, place’ – was officially opened and is now ready to welcome older members of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community.
This is the third Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander older persons’ housing project, following Gundji Gindilan in Lyons and Mura Gunya in Kambah, delivering a total of 15 homes across the ACT.
“The ACT Government is committed to building more and better public housing, because everyone deserves a safe and secure place to call home,” said Minister for Housing and Suburban Development, Yvette Berry MLA.
“It’s been great to see the collaboration between the ACT Government and the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Elected Body to design a culturally appropriate development, that meets the needs of tenants.”
The use of local native plants and the inclusion of a secure and private outdoor area in each dwelling, offers residents a strong connection to the landscape.
Located close to shops, public transport, health services and community facilities – residents will be able to maintain an active and independent lifestyle in these homes.
This project completes the ACT Government’s commitment of $4.488 million over 2 years in the 2018-19 Budget to deliver an additional 10 dedicated, long-term public housing homes for older members of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community.
The five, 2-bedroom, single storey homes – with a minimum 6-star energy efficiency rating – will provide future tenants with flexibility for a range of changing household needs, including ageing in place.
The ACT Government is committed to a range of work to develop and better provide culturally appropriate housing options for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in the Territory.
This includes supporting the establishment of an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community controlled housing provider, and working closely with the Elected Body, the community, and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community controlled organisations to identify opportunities and support need in this area.
The ACT Government is also developing a community participation approach which enables cultural co-design service principles to be incorporated into housing policy. A framework for this approach is being developed in consultation with the Elected Body and an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander consultant.
