Aboriginal housing policies based on community needs
Aboriginal housing policies must be based on community needs — not what non-Indigenous people think they need
Professor Martin Loosemore, School of Built Environment, Dr Campbell Drake, School of Architecture, Professor John Evans, School of Public Health, Professor Sara Wilkinson, School of Built Environment
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.
Research findings show the social values of Aboriginal people differ significantly from non-Aboriginal values. Unfortunately, well-intentioned government policies too often ignore these crucial differences.
- Read the full story in The Conversation: Aboriginal housing policies must be based on community needs — not what non-Indigenous people think they need
