Indigenous Housing Fund

Background

In November 2013, the Western Australian Government completed the acquisition of land for the proposed onshore LNG precinct adjacent to James Price Point, triggering the creation of a $10 million economic development fund and a $20 million fund for Aboriginal housing.

Determination coupled with the registration of the PBC as the Native Title Party for the Browse Agreement in 2020, allowed these benefits to be “unlocked”. However, no action was taken to seek State approval of the rules of distribution until Gadalargan did so in August 2023. These Rules have now been approved and the funds can be accessed.

The initial purpose of the Indigenous Housing Fund is to:

(a) assist and encourage members of the Native Title Claim Group to enter into home ownership and participate in Indigenous housing development projects in the Kimberley;

(b) increase the number of members of the Native Title Claim Group entering into home ownership and residing in secure, safe, suitable and sustainable accommodation in the Kimberley; and

(c) assist the members of the Native Title Claim Group to generate wealth and address disadvantage and poverty through investment and building asset ownership.

The initial specific objects of the Indigenous Housing Fund include:

(i) establishing a safe and appropriate housing program and home ownership programs to provide affordable entry into home ownership, particularly for members of the Native Title Claim Group with low incomes;

(ii) identifying and facilitating training and employment (including traineeship and apprenticeship) opportunities for members of the Native Title Claim Group in housing construction and maintenance and associated areas;

(iii) identifying and facilitating joint ventures between members of the Native Title Claim Group and Capacity Partners in housing construction and maintenance and associated areas; and

(iv) identifying and facilitating suitable housing development projects for members of the Native Title Claim Group including:

(A) establishing a corporate housing company;
(B) joint ventures with other Kimberley Indigenous People;
(C) housing for the aged;
(D) supportive accommodation for apprentices and trainees;
(E) private or social housing development; and
(F) worker accommodation.

The PPA, as it relates to the Indigenous Housing Fund considered that the Trustee would lend money to members to secure housing. However, there have been substantial changes to the regulatory environment since this document was written in June 2011. One of the barriers to “lending money” is that the lender must now have a licence to do so.

We have spent the past months looking at partnership opportunities with organisations that have a licence to lend money. Organisations include Indigenous Business Australia and a number of the larger banks. Once we have worked through the most appropriate funding model, we will still need the State to approve the terms and distribution of monies. We would hope to have these matters resolved over the next 3 – 6 months. We will update progress through our News Links on this website.