February 2008

Indigenous Housing Branch delegate Dan Steel met with a delegation of Moreton Bay Elders to discuss housing issues, needs, and provision in the Caboolture, Deception Bay, and Bribie Island areas. 

The Moreton Bay Elders, in cooperation with the Department of Housing,  are conducting a census to provide an accurate count of the number of ATSI people in the area, including those experiencing tertiary homelessness and living in overcrowded conditions.  

 The group will coalesce with Gympie and Caloundra Elders groups to form a regional council with direct connections to the community that can consult with the Department and provide both information on Indigenous housing needs and solutions.

 The group discussed the possibility of coordinating with other Elders groups to form a state-wide network focussing on Remote, rural, urban and suburban housing needs.

 At a subsequent meeting with the Department of Housing Caboolture Area Office Manager both parties agreed in principle to conduct a joint census and application drive to ensure that the Department has an accurate count of the number of Indigenous persons in staying in overcrowded conditions in social and community housing. The census takers will endeavour to ensure that all persons lodge housing applications in order to more adequately allocate housing stock and ensure that Federal Funding for ATSI housing reflects the area’s true constituency.   

Presently, Federal  ATSI housing funding is based on Australian Bureau of Statistics figures and the number of Departmental applications.    

Both parties are discussing the possibility of expanding the census drive to include the private rental market.

 Members of the Elders group also participate in the North Moreton Housing Branch and will attend the Gympie affordable housing forum on 5 March.