Service directions and issues in social housing for Indigenous households in urban and regional areas

This research is investigating how social housing services are provided to Indigenous clients in urban and regional settings. It is underpinned by recognition of the status of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders as 'first peoples' including the presence of traditional owner residents in urban settings, and the fact that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples have endured poor quality of life outcomes (as measured in recent decades but arguably since colonisation) and that these outcomes are often linked to housing. The primary aim of the study is to better understand how to deliver housing services both to meet housing needs and to contribute to 'closing the gap' on Indigenous disadvantage, in ways that will be consistent with cultural values and Indigenous aspirations. Key themes concern the respective roles of mainstream and culturally specific housing services and how effectively these are integrated across the service system. A focus on urban and regional areas has been chosen for several reasons. These relate mainly to the high level and variety of Indigenous housing needs in these areas; distinctive government policies that have been applied to Indigenous service provision in urbanised (as compared to remote) areas; a relative lack of housing research related to urban and regional Indigenous populations (Long et al. 2007); and the extent of national reform in Indigenous policy and housing policy that is impacting significantly on housing service systems in urban and regional contexts. The research has a strong applied purpose. We intend that the findings will be used to guide service providers about the latest positive approaches to service delivery for Indigenous clients. The research will offer examples of leading and innovative practice identified from a review of current practice, evidence from relevant national and international literature and new field research. We will also use the available evidence base to critically examine current barriers to achieving good housing outcomes for Indigenous clients in the social housing delivery system. While the core focus of the study is service delivery, we expect that the study's findings will also have implications for housing policy and funding frameworks that impinge on the service environment.