Hundreds of Indigenous leaders and experts in housing and homelessness gathered in Adelaide on Kaurna Country this week to share insights and build the movement to solve the housing crisis and end homelessness.
The National First Nations Housing and Homelessness Forum brought together leaders from many fields in the housing and homelessness sector.
The Northern Territory Shadow Minister for Housing, Local Government and Community Development Chansey Paech was the keynote speaker on the opening day, tackling the topic of local decision making and the place-based approach to policy and programs.
“We need community solutions, led by our community,” the Arrente, Arabana and Gurindji man said, stressing the need for governments to “understand and empower” communities.
The former NT remote housing minister under Labor, Mr Paech said the ultimate aim is for Aboriginal housing to be 100 per cent community owned, and operated by Aboriginal people.
“We not only need to provide homes, but also to create economic growth, jobs, sustainable development and culturally appropriate and safe systems for our people.
“When you have community in control of design and allocation, you end up with a superior product. Employ local people in the management and the outcomes are better.”
Mr Paech said government attitudes were a barrier to fixing the housing system.
“We are still experiencing long wait times and long waits for repairs, why? The answer is government,” he said.
The Member for Gwoja said governments are reluctant to try new approaches because of their duty to be fiscally responsible, but it is clear “the current approaches are not working” and they need to be prepared to relinquish a degree of control.
“Safe, sustainable housing is fundamental to closing the gap. We know we have to achieve more efficiency and inclusivity in housing systems; and to achieve that, the community is the answer,” he said.
“Community leadership is the future of the housing system.
“When we speak about community, I mean people living and working in the community who understand the local challenges and conditions and above all the local people.”
The MP said if state and territory governments are “not delivering”, the Commonwealth should direct funding to Aboriginal community-controlled organisations to solve housing problems.
Mr Paech said the cultural diversity across Indigenous communities nationwide “underscores the need for local decision making”.
“There are universal principles that guide us,” he noted, citing the need for housing that “copes with the fluctuations in family and friends visiting”, that is energy efficient, has sheltered outdoor areas and is culturally appropriate, “but we tailor these principles to specific communities”.
“We are not homogenous, what works in one community may not work in another.”
Mr Paech shared a story about his grandmother who had to leave her community for dialysis treatment. She was allocated a one-bedroom apartment, and raised concerns with housing authorities that she would not be able to accommodate family members when they came to support her. Her request for a slightly bigger home was rejected, and she was ultimately evicted when neighbours complained about overcrowding in her home.
Mr Paech said Aboriginal community-controlled organisations are the key to breaking “the cycle of failures”, and identified three pillars to a functioning and fair housing system: comprehensive planning, partnerships, and accountability.
“We must transition people to being owner-occupiers of their own homes where possible,” he said, noting the work of Indigenous Business Australia in this field.
“Governance planning is equally important,” he said, noting the aim of having 100 per cent Indigenous-run organisations in charge of housing.
“Governments must collaborate (with ACCOs) to pool resources and expertise, and provide the funding where the need is… Partnerships are crucial to the community-controlled sector. To bring the cycle of failures to an end we need to work together to fix a broken system.
“Targets hold governments accountable to what they have committed to. This is not just a moral imperative, it’s absolutely vital.”
More coverage of the National First Nations Housing and Homelessness Forum to come.
