The $18.3 million Hedland Aboriginal Home ownership Program has been expanded with four recently refurbished homes, and a refurbishment of an additional four homes to commence shortly.
The extra properties will increase the number of homes in the program to 40.
This will provide more eligible Aboriginal families in Hedland the opportunity to live in an affordable rental home with access to tailored support services that focus on employment, education, financial independence, household management and wellbeing.
Karratha and Geraldton based contractor, GBSC Yurra, is delivering the extensive refurbishment works which include renovated kitchen and bathroom areas, new light fixtures and window treatments, updated floor finishings, repainting of walls, and repairs to external areas when necessary.
GSBC Yurra employed a local Aboriginal apprentice carpenter, an Aboriginal carpenter and two Aboriginal labourers to do the work on the already-completed four refurbished properties.
Existing and refurbished homes have also been fitted with waterwise upgrades this year as a part of an initiative between the Water Corporation and the Department of Communities.
In addition to this, 32 existing homes in the program were upgraded with solar panels earlier this year as part of another partnership between Horizon Power and the Department of Communities.
These waterwise and solar upgrades will further help households to improve their water usage and potentially reduce water and energy costs.
Read the Housing Minister’s media statement
The program is made possible due to investment from the North-West Aboriginal Housing Fund – an initiative of the State Government supported by the Department of Communities and Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development, and the Commonwealth Government.
