Housing in four of WA’s remote Aboriginal communities will be revitalised as $8.2 million in Remote Aboriginal Communities Social Housing Maintenance Grants is awarded.
Ninety one homes in Kurrawang Aboriginal Christian Community, Irrunytju Community, Punmu and Kunawarritij communities will benefit from an extensive array of maintenance work, including kitchen and bathroom improvements, security upgrades for windows and doors and accessibility options.
Successful organisations are Kurrawang Aboriginal Christian Community - $1.89 million for 27 properties, Ngaanyatjarra Council Aboriginal Corporation - $3.2 million for 32 properties in Irrunytju Community and Western Desert Lands Aboriginal Corporation (WDLAC) - $3.12 million for 32 properties in Punmu and Kunawarritij communities.
The Remote Aboriginal Communities Maintenance Grants will support organisations that provide social housing in remote areas and improve the liveability and lifespan of existing housing assets. This maintenance work, and the SHERP Grants, align with Outcome 9 of the National Agreement on Closing the Gap, [that] Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people secure appropriate, affordable housing that is aligned with their priorities and need.
In addition, the engagement of Aboriginal-owned companies in, and the provision of a local Aboriginal workforce on, the maintenance projects will help to build further capacity and skills within the communities.
Minister for Housing John Carey said that the grants will have a positive impact on remote Aboriginal communities.
“People who live in remote communities should have safe, liveable and functional homes and regular maintenance of those properties to improve their living conditions.”
“A key priority of the SHERP Grants Program is to support organisations that provide social housing in remote areas to undertake maintenance works that ultimately improve the lives of community members and help to sustain the communities in which they live,” he said.
A total of $13.3 million has been allocated to the Remote Aboriginal Communities Maintenance stream, and eligible grant applications will continue to be accepted until funds have been exhausted.
The Remote Aboriginal Communities Maintenance Grant Program is one of three streams of grants being delivered through the McGowan Government's Social Housing Economic Recovery Package.
