This research explores how Indigenous Australians can best be supported to access secure, affordable, and appropriate housing. The insights will inform how Indigenous Business Australia (IBA), and other parties, can address the home ownership dilemma for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

The benefits of home ownership are considerable including security of tenure, the building of intergenerational wealth, and the autonomy to make their own choices about how to live – which is critical to self-determination.

Key findings

• Indigenous Australians share the same aspirations as other Australians but have distinctive experiences.
• The number of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander households in home ownership has grown from around 46,150 in 2001 to 145,100 in 2021, more than tripling in 20 years.
• The proportion of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander households who are homeowners has grown rapidly from 33% in 2001 to 41% in 2021.
• First Nations Australian homeowners are now the largest single category by tenure type. The growth reflects a strong desire in First Nations communities to own their own homes.

Recommendations

• Increase place-based, community-led economic empowerment and employment opportunities.
• Improve education and financial literacy.
• Invest in appropriate housing design and ongoing maintenance.
• Support connection to Country, kin, and culture.
• Improve cross sector collaboration to provide secure, affordable and stable housing.
• Increase access to quality health and family support services especially in regional and remote locations to ensure healthy, stable families.