ANTaR believes that ensuring first world standards of housing for the first Australians is one of the nation's greatest challenges. The Overcoming Indigenous Disadvantage 2007 report indicates that a much higher proportion of Indigenous people live in much more crowded conditions that other Australians. Poor housing is a contributor to poor health, poor educational outcomes and family violence.

Recent key reports

Report: Aboriginal housing improvement is the way forward

A study, published in the ANZ Journal of Public Health in February 2008, demonstrates housing maintenance is a key to improving indigenous health: The state of health hardware in Aboriginal communities in rural and remote Australia (PDF).

The study demonstrates that improvements in the living environment for Aboriginal people will require a sustained commitment to the planning, funding and implementation of maintenance programs in addition to adherence to the design, construction and supervision detail outlined in the National Indigenous Housing Guide. The Journal is published by Public Health Association Australia.

Report: Australian Indigenous housing research

The Australian Housing and Urban Research Institute released a report in December 2007, Australian Indigenous housing research: a review and audit (PDF 143k).

The evidence base available to support policy reform in Indigenous housing is considerable. A multi-disciplinary field of study has, since the 1970s, established knowledge of housing design, housing management, the occupation and use of housing, home ownership, and housing and well-being.

Report: Australia under fire on Indigenous housing

Australia's housing record has been strongly criticized by the United Nations Special Rapporteur on adequate housing, Miloon Kothari.

The Special Rapporteur, who visited Australia in August 2006, was particularly disturbed by the adverse housing conditions he witnessed in both urban and rural Indigenous communities. He reported that Indigenous communities are facing a severe housing crisis, evidenced by the lack of affordable and culturally appropriate housing, the lack of appropriate support services, the significant levels of poverty and the underlying discrimination. Download this report (PDF 255k).

All things considered — a range of opinions

To give you a complete picture about housing in Indigenous communities, here's a range of perspectives. The views expressed here are not necessarily those of ANTaR, but we think they should be considered and thoughtfully debated.

• Benefits flow from home ownership - The Australian, 5 August 2008
• Dr Nelson breaks "unconditional" commitment to parliament - ANTaR media release, 23 May 2008

What is the best way to improve housing for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people?

We encourage considered, respectful and where necessary provocative debate. Please feel welcome to have your say, and in turn allow others to have their say without responding in anger or distrust.

ANTaR reserves the right to delete any comment that contains offensive, defamatory or discriminatory content. If you feel any of these comments are of this nature, please let us know!