AUSTRALIA — The Western Australian government’s Community Housing Grants program has funded extensive maintenance work on over 100 Remote Aboriginal Community housing dwellings across WA.
The $16.7 million initiative, known as the Remote Aboriginal Communities Maintenance Grants Program, aims to extend the useful life of these homes and ensure they remain fit for purpose.
Six Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations (ACCOs) have received funding to carry out maintenance work across 10 remote communities in the Goldfields-Esperance, Kimberley, Pilbara, Mid-West, and Gascoyne regions.
To date, more than 125 homes have undergone significant maintenance, with an additional 60 dwellings currently under contract for improvements.
Three ACCOs — Jamukurnu Yapalikurnu Aboriginal Corporation (JYAC), Kurrawang Aboriginal Christian Community (KACC), and Ngaanyatjarra Council Aboriginal Corporation (NCAC) — have completed major maintenance works on 95 homes.
These efforts have created positive change in their communities and improved the daily lives of tenants.
The maintenance works include substantial improvements to kitchens and bathrooms, replacement of cabinetry, pest control, waterproofing, flooring and tiling repairs, as well as general plaster and tiling works.
Housing Minister John Carey emphasised the government’s commitment to boosting housing throughout the state.
He stated: “Our government is doing everything we can to boost housing through the state, including through our record $3.2 billion investment in housing and homelessness measures — which includes delivery of around 5,000 social homes and maintenance and refurbishment to many thousands more.”
Minister Carey also highlighted the program’s broader impact, noting: “These major works are enabling remote Aboriginal community organisations to build on their commitment to supporting Aboriginal employment and training outcomes in local regional communities.”
Pilbara MLA Kevin Michel praised the initiative’s impact in his region, stating: “As part of the Cook Labor Government’s Community Housing Grants, nearly $2.8 million in funding for Jamukurnu Yapalikurnu Aboriginal Corporation was announced in June 2023, to deliver essential maintenance works across several of their dwellings in the Pilbara.”
This maintenance project is part of a larger $200 million investment by the WA government in social and community housing grants.
The initiative aims to deliver more social and affordable housing dwellings and undertake maintenance and refurbishment to thousands of existing social and community housing dwellings across Western Australia.
