Listen to the community
Aboriginal housing policies must be based on community needs — not what non-Indigenous people think they need, write Martin Loosemore, John Evans, Campbell Drake and Sara Wilkinson.
The recently announced $250 million NSW budget boost for Aboriginal housing is much welcomed and long overdue.
In implementing this important new initiative, it is critical to consult Aboriginal communities about what culturally appropriate housing looks like. In the past, public housing policies have often been imposed on Aboriginal communities based on non-Aboriginal ideals of good housing.
Past policies have also not done enough to ensure Aboriginal people have adequate housing — it continues to lag behind non-Aboriginal housing across Australia.
To address the legacy of past Aboriginal housing policies new Aboriginal housing should reflect the diverse cultures, climate variations and environments of Aboriginal communities. They must not be built around the traditional, western, nuclear family model. Housing should be resilient, sustainable and provide flexible and adaptable spaces for extended families and community activities.
Most importantly, Aboriginal housing policies should be developed and implemented in close consultation with Aboriginal people, recognising each community’s unique cultures, needs and priorities.
This article was originally published on The Conversation. Read the full article: Aboriginal housing policies must be based on community needs — not what non-Indigenous people think they need [opens external link].
