The WA Government established the Remote Communities Fund in the 2022-23 State Budget to support improved water, power and municipal services, and increase housing availability in remote Aboriginal communities.
A number of houses are being refurbished and new houses are being built in communities in the Kimberley, Pilbara, Mid West and Goldfields regions. Funding is also allocated for municipal works to support the housing investment, for example, to extend roads to new houses.
This investment is driving progress towards the socioeconomic outcomes and priority reforms in the National Agreement on Closing the Gap, particularly those related to health, wellbeing, economic participation, and appropriate housing for Aboriginal people.
Housing refurbishments
Refurbishments ensure that existing houses are fit-for-purpose and provide a safe and healthy environment for residents.
The Remote Communities Fund will invest in a number of houses that have not been refurbished for many years, providing for new insulation to ceilings and walls, upgraded electricals and lighting, and upgrades in kitchens and bathrooms.
In some communities, there are no formal arrangements in place for standard services such as property and tenancy management and repairs and maintenance. All houses refurbished under the Remote Communities Fund will secure these services from the Department of Communities through a Housing Management Agreement, agreed with the local community.
New houses
New houses will be built in remote and town-based Aboriginal communities most exposed to the negative effects of overcrowding. This is an important focus of the WA Government to progress Closing the Gap target 9a (increase the number of Aboriginal people living in appropriately sized housing).
New houses will be located in a number of communities around WA, designed to be fit-for-purpose and provide safe, healthy environments for residents. When completed, the Department of Communities will provide formal property and tenancy management and repair and maintenance services to new houses under Housing Management Agreements with the local communities.
Community engagement
The Department of Communities will work with local communities over the coming months and years to discuss their housing and the opportunity for refurbishments and/or new houses.
In line with the WA Government’s Aboriginal Empowerment Strategy, the Department of Communities is working in partnership with local people and residents to place Aboriginal voices ‘at the heart’ of decision-making about investment in their communities.
Other Remote Communities Fund investment
The Remote Communities Fund is also supporting improved water, power and municipal services in remote Aboriginal communities. Projects are being delivered by Horizon Power and the Water Corporation.
Announcements
$408 million in additional investments for housing and homelessness
$600 million for Aboriginal initiatives aimed at Closing the Gap
