Date: 2006-05-01
Victoria’s Aboriginal communities are about to reap the benefits of four major projects that are currently being undertaken by Community Housing Limited (CHL) with four different aboriginal cooperatives. CHL has made substantial progress in working with the aboriginal community since 2004. Since then CHL has refurbished 26 houses, and assumed tenancy management of a total 80 properties.
The four major projects currently being undertaken are:
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Building four, two bedroom air conditioned units for aboriginal elders from the Murray Valley Cooperative in Robinvale
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Upgrading 34 dwellings for the Central Gippsland Aboriginal Cooperative
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Upgrading 9 dwellings for Gippsland East Gippsland Aboriginal Cooperative/p>
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Construction of two, five bedroom homes for Lake Tyers Aboriginal Trust at Lake Tyers Aboriginal Settlement.
“We’re finding that the indigenous community is beginning to trust CHL with their housing development projects. We’re performing in terms of delivering projects as agreed and committing to the long term viability of those properties. The rapport has never been better because we’re delivering on our promises to them,” says John Canny, Manager of CHL Construction Services.
Currently, two-thirds of indigenous households live in rented accommodation compared to one third of other households. 5 per cent of indigenous households live in overcrowded conditions compared with less than 1 per cent of other Australians.
The partnership between the aboriginal cooperatives and CHL has been successful because the accommodation built has been developed with an awareness of and respect towards the customs and culture of the aboriginal community. Community members are invited to have input into the design, construction and management of the housing. As an independent third party, CHL can also remove some of the personal elements in management decisions that have created difficulties for aboriginal cooperatives in the past.
As well as improving living standards CHL has applied an integrated approach for creating employment for the residents, with CHL administrative staff being hired from the aboriginal community. The tender process for the construction contract also requires builders to provide employment opportunities for community members.
“We’re building these sites in consultation with the community and where possible providing the opportunity to participate in the construction process because that means greater levels of ownership in these projects,” says Mr. Canny. “We have designed, specified, and used building techniques that encourage ease of maintenance in the long term. CHL will be maintaining the properties and assisting the management of tenancies for many years.”
CHL opened an office in 1994 with a $63,000 grant. It is now the fastest growing community housing organisation in Australia and one of the nation’s fastest growing businesses.
For more information on Community Housing Limited, visit www.chl.org.au