→ Murdi Paaki Regional Housing Corporation, Healthy Housing Worker Program, NSW

A pilot program in the far west of New South Wales is developing an efficient and sustainable solution to the complex task of repairing and maintaining houses in rural and remote Aboriginal communities.

At the same time, the Healthy Housing Worker program is improving health outcomes and building community capacity by enhancing control over day-to-day living and contributing to general quality of life.

Operated by the Murdi Paaki Regional Housing Corporation (MPRHC) since 2004, the program equips community members with accredited training in carpentry, electrical and plumbing, giving them the 'hands on' skills to identify and fix a wide range of common housing problems.

This program is giving the community the skills it needs to address its own problems, says Bruce Graham, MPRHC General Manager.

"For instance, if a septic tank needs to be repaired it can be done straight away. A family doesn't have to wait weeks for a plumber to travel out to the community and do the job," he says.

"Community members know who to talk to if something's broken. They're dealing with someone they know – not a complex bureaucracy – so they're more likely to report problems when they happen."

Having two Healthy Housing Workers in each community also means that houses are checked more frequently and that community infrastructure and environmental hazards can be regularly monitored.

"With our limited resources we could only inspect properties twice a year," Graham says.

"Now houses are being checked once a month, sometimes once a fortnight. It's a terrific outcome for tenants and also saves money – small problems are less likely to grow into bigger problems."

The Healthy Housing Worker program was developed in partnership with the Greater West Area Health Service (GWAHS). It has been operating in conjunction with the long-running national program Housing for Health, which identifies and rectifies 'health hardware' problems in Aboriginal housing stock.

'Health hardware' - a term coined by Dr Fred Hollows - describes the physical equipment necessary for healthy, hygienic living.

According to Bill Balding, Director of the GWAHS Public Health Unit at Broken Hill, there is clear evidence to show the link between good housing and improved health outcomes.

"Regularly maintaining houses and community infrastructure can help reduce infections and diseases, like gastroenteritis, and reduce injuries and trauma from home accidents. It also creates an environment where there are improved outcomes for child health," says Balding.

There are plans to expand the Healthy Housing Worker program to three more remote NSW communities – Wilcannia, Brewarrina and Walgett. But this will require a funding commitment from the Commonwealth Government.

"The funding for the pilot program has just finished," says Balding. "We know the program needs to be formally evaluated, however it's clear that it's sustainable, cost-effective and already delivering results for the communities involved."

"It would be an absolute tragedy if we had to pull the pin on the Healthy Housing Worker program because of funding delays or a lack of responsiveness from government," adds Graham.

Where

Far west New South Wales communities participating at the time of writing include Collarenebri, Dareton, Ivanhoe, Weilmoringle and Bourke.

Training and mentoring

Ten Healthy Housing Workers – two from each community – have gained qualifications in Environmental Health (Level 3) and Construction (Level 2 and 3), through a two-year program with Bachelor College (NT). They also receive professional mentoring (building and academic) and support.

Results

• Regular checks mean housing problems are addressed earlier.
• Complaints by tenants to Murdi Paaki Regional Housing Corporation have fallen by 40-90% in participating communities.
• Better health outcomes result from improved housing conditions.
• Anticipated increase in house life, from an average minimum of 8 years up to 20 years.

Find out more

Murdi Paaki Regional Housing Corporation
PO Box 270
Broken Hill NSW 2880
Website: www.atns.net.au/agreement.asp?EntityID=3098