Aboriginal Housing Strategy update

Work is continuing to develop a new Aboriginal Housing Strategy (AHS) for South Australia, to address the specific housing needs of Aboriginal people.

The AHS is about more than just housing – it requires government, Aboriginal communities, service providers and the broader housing sector to work in partnership to create safe, secure and affordable housing outcomes, culturally informed and responsive services, economic development opportunities, and to strengthen local decision making frameworks to enable Aboriginal people within South Australia to thrive.

The Authority is working closely with the Aboriginal Advisory Committee (AAC) to further develop the AHS. In December 2020, workshops were held for AAC members and PwC’s Indigenous Consulting (PIC) to determine key priorities and recommendations for the AHS. To ensure we have captured all feedback, the Authority is re-engaging with targeted Aboriginal community leaders and key sector representatives to test the draft AHS before it is finalised. This process includes talking to Aboriginal communities within metropolitan, regional and remote South Australia.

The Authority also continues to work with government agencies, service providers and other relevant sector stakeholders to ensure operational and strategic opportunities are included in the AHS. This will also ensure alignment with broader initiatives and key policies such as the National Agreement on Closing the Gap and the South Australian Government Aboriginal Affairs Action Plan 2019 – 2020.

A key finding from the engagement so far is that Aboriginal communities want to work in partnership with government and other relevant organisations to create a housing sector that reflects the needs, aspirations and interests of all Aboriginal South Australians.

Head of Aboriginal Housing

The Authority’s Head of Aboriginal Housing, Erin Woolford, will have an integral role in leading the development and implementation of the AHS. Erin joined the Authority on 18 January 2021.

Erin is an accomplished leader in Aboriginal Affairs and policy development and has worked across government, corporate, academic and specialist service sectors with regional, remote and metropolitan communities. Most recently Erin has worked with PricewaterhouseCoopers Australia where she was National Senior Manager, Reconciliation. Erin is a Kuyani-Arrernte woman who has lived in regional and remote SA communities for over three decades.

We would like to acknowledge and sincerely thank all who have contributed to developing the AHS and taken the time to share personal and professional experiences once again. If you need further information about the Strategy please contact Glen Michels, Manager, Aboriginal Housing Strategy, at glen.michels@sa.gov.au or 0459 853 348.

Thank you again for your ongoing interest and commitment to improving housing outcomes for Aboriginal people across South Australia.

Shona Reid

Chair, Aboriginal Advisory Committee

Erin Woolford

Head of Aboriginal Housing, SA Housing Authority

SA Housing Authority acknowledges Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people as the First Peoples and Traditional Owners of the lands and waters we live and work. We acknowledge and respect the deep spiritual connection and the relationship that First Nations people have to Country. We pay our respects to their Elders past, present and emerging.