Call to save key housing scheme
An important Indigenous housing scheme is about to run out of money.
The federally-funded National Partnership Alliance on Remote Housing Program has invested $5.4 billion into housing for Indigenous communities since 2008.
But the scheme expires in June, leaving hundreds on its waiting list for homes wondering how they will find a place to live.
The Local Government Association of Queensland (LGAQ) is the first major group to sound the alarm, with a large number of the homes being built under the scheme in the last decade being located in remote and offshore communities around the state.
The LGAQ has launched a campaign to draw attention to the impact of the Government’s looming withdrawal from housing program, saying it has provided life-changing jobs and shelter for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.
LGAQ chief executive Greg Hallam says people across nation support a decent level of housing for Indigenous communities.
“This program has created hundreds of jobs and provided thousands of new or refurbished homes in Queensland since 2008 yet the Federal Government is preparing to axe future funding after June this year,’’ he said.
“We are not going to stand by and watch Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull walk away from a program that is so fundamental to the future of indigenous communities in Queensland.
“I urge all MPs and senators to do what they can to make sure this vital funding continues.
“The Prime Minister is due within days to report to Parliament on progress reaching targets on Closing the Gap in indigenous disadvantage.”
“Any move to axe the indigenous housing program will not only cast a large shadow over what he says. It will amount to an abrogation of the Government’s Closing the Gap responsibilities,” Mr Hallam said.