This report provides a comprehensive overview of the current Indigenous housing system in Australia to support development of future policies. The research looked at how Indigenous housing is managed, funded and regulated in Australia and ways to support Indigenous Australians in making their own decisions about their housing. 

This research report is part of an inquiry into developing a long-term governance and resource framework for sustainable and effective Indigenous housing. The research uses the term ‘Indigenous’ to refer to both Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples of Australia. 

Key points

• Indigenous householders are experiencing much higher levels of unmet need than existing or proposed resources will address.
• While there has been a recent upscaling in Australian Government investment for social and affordable housing, with Indigenous Australians recognised as a priority cohort, the impact this will have on housing outcomes remains uncertain.
• The reality is the Indigenous community-controlled housing sector remains very underdeveloped and under resourced. Despite good intentions, there is no clear, agreed national vision or calibrated plan for how Indigenous community-controlled housing can be empowered and grow successfully.
• Current directions in governance and shared decision making driven by Closing the Gap are positive but will need to be sustained over a much longer time-frame; short-term political cycles mean disruption remains a major risk factor.
• There is a strong need for a national strategic framework to guide future Indigenous housing. A flexible pathways approach to policy development that incorporates all elements of the housing system and recognises demographic and geographical diversity is required.