Housing Policy Partnership

In December 2022, the Joint Council on Closing the Gap (the Joint Council) approved the establishment of the HPP under Priority Reform One of the National Agreement on Closing the Gap. The HPP is a forum for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to have a genuine say in the design and delivery of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander housing services.

The National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Housing Association (NATSIHA) co-chairs the HPP with the Department of Social Services. Membership includes representatives from federal, state and territory governments, the Coalition of Peaks and independent Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander representatives.

The Australian Government has committed $9.2 million over three years from 22-23, to establish the HPP. This includes resources to support NATSIHA as co-chair and secretariat.

One key output of the HPP is to make recommendations to the Joint Council about improving housing outcomes and homelessness prevention for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

Objectives

The objectives of the HPP are to:

  • establish a joined-up partnership approach between all governments and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community representatives to address and improve housing outcomes of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
  • give a focus to the Priority Reforms in the National Agreement, and how they can be harnessed to make the changes needed to ensure that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people secure appropriate, affordable housing that is aligned with their aspirations, priorities and need.
  • identify specific reforms to increase the proportion of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people living in appropriately sized and affordable housing, to enable improved life outcomes across areas such as employment, health, education and connection to community and ‘country’.
  • identify opportunities to work more effectively across and within governments, the Coalition of Peaks and housing organisations, particularly Aboriginal Community-Controlled Organisations to reduce service gaps and duplication and improve outcomes under the National Agreement.
  • support efforts to implement the National Agreement, including meeting targets for the Priority Reform areas and socioeconomic outcomes.
  • ensure policy is informed by a community and sector led model that acknowledges and supports Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community-led outcomes on Closing the Gap, through a housing lens.
  • enable Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander representatives, communities, and organisations to negotiate and implement agreements with governments to implement all Priority Reforms, and specific and place-based policy strategies to support the National Agreement

For more information on the HPP, visit: Housing Policy Partnership | NATSIHA

Membership

The HPP comprises representatives from governments and peak organisations, including:

  • Secretariat and co-chair: NATSIHA
  • Co-chair: Department of Social Services
  • Coalition of Peaks lead organisations:
    • NATSIHA – National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Housing Association
    • Aboriginal Housing Northern Territory
    • Aboriginal Housing Victoria
    • First Peoples Disability Network (New South Wales)
    • National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (Australian Capital Territory)
  • other independent Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and community representatives.
  • Federal, state and territory governments

Meetings:

The HPP has held meetings on:

  • 13-14 June on Eora Nation- Sydney
  • 7-8 March 2024 on Kaurna country - Adelaide
  • 29-30 November 2023 on Kulin Nation- Melbourne
  • 11 August 2023 on Ngunnawal/Nambri Country- Canberra

Engaging with the HPP

You can contact the Housing Policy Partnership secretariats at housingpolicypartnership@dss.gov.au and HousingPolicyPartnerships@natsiha.org.au

Resources

National Agreement on Closing the Gap

Closing the Gap Implementation Plan

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