ABORIGINAL EXPERIENCES OF HOUSING FIRST - AN EVALUATION SNAPSHOT: Zero Project Snapshot - Ruah ...
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AN EVALUATION SNAPSHOT: ABORIGINAL EXPERIENCES OF HOUSING FIRST Zero Project Snapshot Shannen Vallesi and Lisa Wood The University of Western Australia April 2021
ARTWORK BY ANTHEA CORBETT. Anthea is a Yamatji and Wajarri Noongah/Yuet woman who was housed by the 50 Lives project in 2016 after experiencing homelessness and rough sleeping for many years. The pieces are entitled “Wadgee Mia [No Home]” – Piece 1 (above) is about a strong and healthy family unit and trouble free. Piece 2 (back inside cover) shows the difference through challenges stemming from the difficulties within the lifestyle. The feet walking keeping the Culture connected.
THE 50 LIVES
50 HOMES PROJECT
The 50 Lives 50 Homes 50 Lives was founded on a Housing represented in homelessness
(50 Lives) project was First approach, working to provide statistics across Australia
people with safe and stable and in WA, and aligns with the
a collective impact project
permanent accommodation without State Strategy on Improving
that commenced in late-2015 preconditions. Exemplifying its Aboriginal Wellbeing as one
with the aim to house and collective impact ethos, over 30 of the four focus areas.1
support the most vulnerable organisations have been involved
across homelessness, health, welfare This snapshot explores evaluation
rough sleepers in Perth. findings for the overall 50 Lives
and community service sectors.
Having a lead backbone agency is project, looking at how experiences
a key pillar of successful collective and housing outcomes compare
impact initiatives, and for 50 Lives between Aboriginal and non-
this has been provided by Ruah Aboriginal peoples who have been
Community Services. As of October supported by 50 Lives. The snapshot
2020, 50 Lives transitioned into a also reflects on how Housing First
broader Zero Project, expanding approaches need to be adapted to
the model to other communities better suit the needs of Aboriginal
and adopting an Advance to Zero and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
methodology aimed at ending
rough sleeping.
“Over time they lost so much
An independent evaluation of space that they have moved
50 Lives has been undertaken by into homelessness. You are
UWA since 2016. This snapshot focussing on housing and they
need belonging.”
focussing on how the program
has supported and engaged with – Aboriginal Elder, 50 Lives
Aboriginal people, who are over-
EVALUATION SNAPSHOT | 01ABORIGINAL HOMELESSNESS IN AUSTRALIA
Aboriginal and Torres Strait belonging” this imposes are
x 10
Islander peoples represent only consequences of the lasting MORE LIKELY
TO EXPERIENCE
3% of the Australian population, impact of colonisation.4 The HOMELESSNESS
however, comprise 28% of the total legacy of assimilation policies
homeless population.2 In the 2016 also impact intergenerational
x 16
MORE LIKELY TO
Census, 1 in 28 Indigenous people trauma, cultural oppression, LIVE IN SEVERELY
were homeless, with 39% of these racism, poverty, lower education, CROWDED HOUSES
people under 18 years of age.2 and unemployment, contributing
Dispossession from land and
culture3 and the sense of “not
to the disproportionate rates of
Aboriginal homelessness.2,3,4 39% UNDER
18 YEARS
(AIHW, 2019)
INDIGENOUS HOUSING FIRST
To date, there have been few However as noted in a recent New of their cultural communities and
Indigenous-specific examples of Zealand paper on homelessness connections”.6 The authors also
Housing First Initiatives, with the in Maori communities6, it is argue that Housing First initiatives
only published examples coming collective self-determination that is need to take into account differing
from Canada and New Zealand.5,6,7 culturally paramount. As noted by Indigenous understandings of
Housing First principles of self- the authors, conventional Housing homelessness, home and sense of
determination (including choice), First approaches focus primarily on place and land. This resonates with
respect and autonomy have been the individual or at best the family Australia’s Aboriginal people, where
noted in the literature to be more unit, whilst for Maori communities, ties to family and country are deeply
aligned with Indigenous values “Housing First might best rooted in culture, with enormous
and communities than some of operate on a clear and committed variability in how it looks across the
the more traditional responses to understanding of the whakapapa many different Aboriginal nations
homelessness that can sometimes or kinship of the homeless that exist within Australia.
be construed as paternalistic.6 indigenous person in the context
TO WHAT EXTENT HAVE ABORIGINAL PEOPLE EXPERIENCING
HOMELESSNESS BEEN SUPPORTED BY 50 LIVES?
Since 50 Lives commenced the were 39 years old (range: 16-73 (66%) were Aboriginal. A higher
organisations involved in 50 Lives years). The majority (72%) of percentage of Aboriginal peoples
have provided support to 427 Aboriginal participants were were female (56%) compared to
rough sleepers, 40% of which supported via the Rough Sleepers non-Aboriginal peoples.
are Aboriginal. On average, working group, but of total
Aboriginal peoples supported families in 50 Lives two thirds
OF THE 427 PEOPLE SUPPORTED BY 50 LIVES:
The data presented in this snapshot report was valid as at 30 June 2020.
40% 39 56% 43%
are Aboriginal and/or average age – of Aboriginal people are of Aboriginal people are
Torres Strait Islander compared to 36 for female – compared to 39% for male – compared to
(n=170) non-Aboriginal non-Aboriginal 58% for non-Aboriginal
02 | ABORIGINAL EXPERIENCES OF HOUSING FIRSTCOMPLEXITY
OF NEEDS
OF THE 376 INDIVIDUAL* VI-SPDAT RESPONDENTS:
36% 6 YEARS 92% 90%
are Aboriginal and/or spent homeless** – serious health condition – tri-morbidity –
Torres Strait Islander 11 months longer than compared to 85% for compared to 80% for
(n=137) non-Aboriginal non-Aboriginal non-Aboriginal
12.1 50% 75% 29%
average vi-spdat score – had been in care as a had been to prison – have diabetes –
compared to 11.9 for child compared to 33% compared to 45% for compared to 8% for
non-Aboriginal non-Aboriginal non-Aboriginal non-Aboriginal
* A total of 380 out of 427 of people supported by 50 Lives completed an Individual VI-SPDAT but 4 people did not report Ethnicity. A further 44 people
completed a Family VI-SPDAT and 3 individuals did not provide consent for their VI-SPDAT to be used.
** Prior to completing the VI-SPDAT, total time homeless could be much longer if they completed survey and remained homeless for many more years
EVALUATION SNAPSHOT | 03COMPLEXITY OF HEALTH AND HOUSING NEEDS: A CASE STUDY
Pam is an Aboriginal female in Pam is regularly bought into ED As the health system often treats
her early forties who has been via ambulance often related to AOD, mental health and physical
sleeping in a park for many years. alcohol intoxication, abdominal conditions in silos, and Pam has
pain and injuries from assaults. complex physical health conditions
She originates from a central She routinely discharges herself as and trauma, she in effect has
Australian community but has
soon as she is sober, so for a long fallen through the cracks in both
been permanently banned due to
time little work on her underlying health and homelessness systems.
traditional law. She has a history of
physical and mental health, or Pam underwent bilateral cataract
trauma and suffers from multiple
social circumstances has occurred. surgery once COVID restrictions
chronic health conditions including
In 2020 (up to mid-Nov), Pam lifted and was supported into
alcohol-related end stage liver
had 61 ED presentations and 52 transitional accommodation post-
cirrhosis, anaemia, pneumonia
inpatient admissions (totalling 88 surgery. Unfortunately Pam left her
and is legally blind from bilateral
days), equating to nearly $290,000.8 transitional accommodation after
cataracts. She has heavy daily
Despite frequent ED attendance she only two weeks. She is currently
alcohol intake in response to the
has no recorded history with mental rough sleeping wanting a place of
traumatic loss of all contact with
health services, nor been linked into her own; her drinking makes finding
her family and Country. Pam scored
14 on the VI-SPDAT in late 2017. community support services. suitable accommodation difficult.
DIFFERENCES IN ABORIGINAL AND NON-ABORIGINAL NEEDS
Nationally, 28% of people This may be due to only 17% of may require additional legal support,
experiencing homelessness are youth participants being Aboriginal and as observed in report 39, past
Aboriginal and or Torres Strait and thus the non-Aboriginal average indiscretions may catch up with
Islander; in 50 Lives 40% of age is resultingly younger. you and result in loss of tenancies.
people supported are Aboriginal.
This is important to note as the
Self-Report Health and Justice The prevalence of many of the
Differences and Implications self-reported health conditions
individuals supported via 50 Lives
for Support were similar, however Aboriginal
are considered as some as the most
respondents reported more diabetes
vulnerable rough sleepers in our While the overall individual
(29% vs 8%), hypothermia (16%
community (as assessed via the VI-SPDAT score was similar (only
vs 11%), asthma (50% vs 45%) and
VI-SPDAT). Scoring higher on this 0.15 difference in score), there were
less cancer (8% vs 13%) than non-
tool suggests longer time spent a number of outcomes Aboriginal
Aboriginal respondents. Overall,
homeless and a multitude of health respondents were more likely to
they were significantly more likely
and other psychosocial needs. report experiencing. All justice-
to have at least one serious health
related questions were answered
Demographic Differences and condition (92% vs 85%, pCULTURALLY RESPONSIVE
SERVICES AND SUPPORT
“Aboriginal people make up
CONNECTING PEOPLE TO SERVICES
around half of street present
homeless people in Perth, so it is
50 Lives is collaborative in Ongoing systematic racism and
nature, with over 30 different deeply rooted intergenerational
vitally important to support and
trauma that many Aboriginal
work with them in a responsive participating organisations
and culturally appropriate peoples continue to experience
across Perth. today can contribute to an overall
way. It is also imperative that
WA returns to an Aboriginal As homelessness is a deeply-set, distrust of mainstream services,
housing policy that recognises multi-factorial and multi-faceted hence the need for Aboriginal-
the unique desires, needs and
issue, these services span over the specific services. 50 Lives has
obligations of Aboriginal worked closely with service key
peoples and their families in
community, housing, health and
Aboriginal services across Perth
relation to housing. We need justice sectors providing individuals
and established the Wongee Mia
to support these families to differing types of help as per their
project as a novel Aboriginal
thrive in their own way, rather individual needs.
Housing First Model.
than making them fit into the
small boxes the government While there are many challenges
One specific example of how
has always tried to force them to housing long-term rough
Noongar Mia Mia (an Aboriginal
into. Fundamentally, though, sleepers regardless of their
Housing Provider) works differently
Aboriginal people need the same cultural background, there are
thing we all do – a stable, secure to other mainstream housing
additional sensitivities and cultural
home to raise their family. That providers, is that they have established
requirements that need to be Tenant Housing Standards. These
is a basic human right, and it is
considered for Aboriginal peoples Standards were developed by a
absurd that so many are denied
this – righting this historic experiencing homelessness (see council of 100 Elders through the
wrong ought to be an immediate pages 9-10). Where possible, people Ngulluk Koolunga Ngulluk Koort
and urgent priority for any should be connected to culturally (Our Children, Our Heart) Project
government who is serious relevant services that are able and each tenant signs off on them
about Closing the Gap and to respond to the complex and before moving into their property.
creating genuine reconciliation intertwined nature of Aboriginal This helps to ensure that tenants are
with First Australians.” homelessness. This includes both aware of their Elders’ expectations
– Aboriginal Organisation Aboriginal housing providers of them and how they are to manage
and Aboriginal support services. and behave in their home.
EVALUATION SNAPSHOT | 05THE WONGEE MIA PROJECT
Wongee Mia is a special initiative The family named the project and guide and educate towards
of 50 Lives that was designed to after the grandmother of the culturally appropriate responses.
house and support Aboriginal central family member, who was In contrast to traditional one-to-
chronic rough sleepers in Perth. an advocate for strengthening one case management models,
It was developed from small seed family ties and providing shelter, the Wongee Mia project takes
funding in consultation with both her family call her “Wongee” a “family-centred approach”,
Indigenous staff within Ruah meaning strong woman, with whereby the total caseload is
and with specialist Aboriginal “Mia” meaning home in the the whole family.10
organisations as there was an Noongar language.10
identified gap within the program
for supporting Aboriginal people. Central to the Wongee Mia project
and how they support Aboriginal “Wongee” meaning strong
The project developed strong
chronic rough sleepers is via the woman, with “Mia” meaning
ties with the family Elders and home in the Noongar language. 10
as a result the project was renamed input of Elders. Elders provide
Wongee Mia. The program works information on relationships to
with a central person and their consider when housing someone,
entire family. preferred living arrangements,
CULTURAL APPROPRIATENESS OF HOUSING: A CASE STUDY
Bella is an Elder who has property nor did he live with wording for the application,
been supported by Wongee her at the time of his death due focussing on physical issues
Mia since mid-2018. to property restrictions placed with the property rather than
on the tenancy. the cultural inappropriateness
After the passing of her son, and spiritually-related issues.
she applied for a property transfer Bella was filled with deep sadness
The HSO also waived the ‘cooling
via the Housing Authority which after his death and she believed
off’ period, which enabled Bella
was initially rejected. There are his spirit was tied to the property.
Over time Bella spent less and to submit the second request
policies under the “Cultural shortly after her first rejection.
Diversity and Language Services less time in her flat.
After about eight months she was
Policy” 11 that enables Aboriginal Her Wongee Mia case worker rehoused in her new home.
tenants to transfer to alternative and her Housing Support Officer
properties for cultural reasons (HSO) worked together to submit
such as death in a property, but a second transfer request.
this didn’t apply in this situation The HSO provided her case
as her son did not die in the worker with more appropriate
06 | ABORIGINAL EXPERIENCES OF HOUSING FIRSTHOUSING NEEDS
AND OUTCOMES
HOUSING OUTCOMES
In total, 68 out of 170 However, there were no tenancy directly into homelessness
Aboriginal people supported differences in the percentage (48% vs 55%), this was partly
through 50 Lives have of Aboriginal compared to due to moving into other types of
non-Aboriginal peoples housed accommodation (not necessarily
been housed at some point, as at 30 June 2020, Aboriginal permanent) but was also partly due
meaning that an overall peoples were less likely to sustain to higher tenancy exits into prison
smaller proportion of the a tenancy for one year (75% vs (10% compared to 2%).
Aboriginal cohort was 83%) and were more likely to be
housed (40%) compared evicted (39% vs 34%- excluding
to their non-Aboriginal deaths). However, Aboriginal
counterparts (51%). people were less likely exit their
AS AT 30 JUNE 2020, 199 INDIVIDUALS HAD BEEN HOUSED IN 240 HOMES:
40% 77% 75% 48%
of Aboriginal people of Aboriginal tenants of Aboriginal tenants of Aboriginal tenancy
supported have been housed were still housed as at sustained their tenancies for exits were into homelessness
at some point – compared 30 June 2020 – same as at least one year – compared – compared to 55% for non-
to 51% for non-Aboriginal non-Aboriginal to 83% for non-Aboriginal Aboriginal (excluding deaths)
EVALUATION SNAPSHOT | 07THE NEED FOR ONGOING SUPPORT AND ADVOCACY
TO REHOME: A CASE STUDY
Background Engagement with 50 Lives however has a history of
non-engagement. Due to her
Daisy is an Aboriginal woman In early 2016 Daisy scored 15 on
domestic violence situation
in her mid-late twenties who has the VI-SPDAT survey, and became
she has had to leave multiple
been in and out of homelessness part of 50 Lives a couple months
properties, often returning
for nearly half her life after afterwards. Daisy has cycled
to sleeping rough.
running away from foster care. through many accommodation
options over the past four Current Situation
She has experienced extensive years, including in transitional
trauma, including many years accommodation, public housing, Through ongoing support via
of domestic violence and she has private rentals and various other Ruah, Tranby drop-in centre
complex mix of mental health supportive accommodation (UnitingWA) and Homeless
issues and drug use. Other chronic services. Throughout this time Healthcare she has been recently
health conditions include poorly she was periodically supported by rehoused via the Department of
controlled type 2 diabetes and the After Hours Support Service Communities. Safe and secure
asthma, both of which have (AHSS) to help manage her housing remains critical to enable
worsened considerably over medical needs including wound Daisy to manage her complex
care and diabetes management, health and social issues.
her years of rough sleeping.
TYPES AND RAPIDITY OF HOUSING PLACEMENTS
Of the 240 homes that these 170 can be prohibitive to Aboriginal While it took approximately the
individuals have been housed in; peoples, with 78% of all rental same amount of time to complete
Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal placements for 50 Lives being for someone’s priority listing after
peoples were just as likely to be non-Aboriginal people, however completing the 50 Lives application
housed in Community Housing median time-to-rental from form (76 days for Aboriginal,
(21% compared to 20%), they were 50 Lives application was quicker 74 days non-Aboriginal), but took
slightly more likely to be housed in for Aboriginal placements nearly double the time for an
public housing (61% of placements (63 days compared to 91 days). Aboriginal person to be housed after
compared to 51%) and were less being priority listed compared to
likely to be housed in a private Overall, it took nearly two months a non-Aboriginal person (308 days
rental (8% compared to 16% of longer to house an Aboriginal compared to 170 days); this pattern
placements). Many stakeholders person supported by 50 Lives was observed for both public and
noted how the rental market (186 days compared to 134 days). community housing.
76 DAYS 186 DAYS 308 DAYS 31%
(median) (median) (median)
to get priority listing after to be housed after to be housed after of aboriginal people waiting
50 lives application – compared 50 lives application priority listing for housing are priority
to 74 days for non-aboriginal compared to 134 for compared to 170 for listed – compared to 36% for
(for those who were priority non-Aboriginal non-Aboriginal non-aboriginal (of those not
listed after app) exited and not housed)
Due to the wide range in time-to-house for this group, the medians have been presented instead of averages.
08 | ABORIGINAL EXPERIENCES OF HOUSING FIRSTCHALLENGES TO ACCESSING RAPID AND APPROPRIATE HOUSING
A dual focus of the Housing First obstacle state-wide to ending more broadly. While many of
ethos is to provide rapid housing homelessness, that is, the extensive the obstacles to rapid housing
and wrap-around support to waitlist for public housing properties are shared across all 50 Lives
individuals without precondition. in WA. Public Housing waitlist data participants, there are a number
As identified in the Third Evaluation to the end of 2019 showed that even of additional challenges and
Report9, there are a range of on the priority waitlist, the ‘time to considerations that have been
challenges in WA to actually house’ on average is 1.3 years for a identified by organisations working
achieving rapid housing. The main one-bedroom property, which is the at the coalface with Aboriginal
barrier for 50 Lives participants type of housing in highest demand people experiencing homelessness
to rapid housing mirrors the larger among 50 Lives participants and in Perth; these are discussed below.
POLICY & SUITABILITY CULTURAL
BUREAUCRACY OF HOUSING APPROPRIATENESS OF
CHALLENGES OPTIONS HOUSING PROVIDERS
POLICY AND BUREAUCRATIC CHALLENGES TO RAPID HOUSING
It is recognised that policies and have to have a co-applicant listed; the “Transfer Policy” you cannot
criteria need to underpin the social the challenge with this being the have had a breach in the year prior,
housing allocation mechanisms long delays for the waitlist meaning which poses challenges if the
of any government. Learnings that the situation between the two tenant was not the source of the
from 50 Lives however suggest applicants may have changed by the breach (i.e. visitors, disruptive
that the standard policies and time a property becomes available. neighbours or family feuding).
requirements relating to public
housing in WA pose some additional Further Assistance Reviews
challenges for people who homeless Under the “Allocations Policy” “You have to be empathetic in
and Aboriginal. a lot of cases, and you have
it states that a tenant may be
to be able to make decisions
Size of Home Eligible for required to wait longer than usual that are not about a policy or
for assistance or that specific document that says it can only
Under the “Allocations Policy” of conditions may be applied to their be – you can’t say if someone
the Department of Communities tenancy (i.e. liquor restricted) if they calls up “well my policy says
Rental Manual11, accommodation had substantial previous tenancy this and because of this you
size is dependent on individual breaches. Anecdotally stakeholders have a strike and you’re out” –
circumstance at the time, it has suggested that these reviews are its almost like the policies and
guidelines on the need for cultural procedures cause them to treat
contributing to longer time taken to
considerations around providing people as numbers and not as
house Aboriginal tenants in 50 Lives. individuals and that’s where
irregular care to family and the While we only have FAR records for
need for bigger properties. However, we are a little bit different … the
12 people, the overwhelming majority way the tenancies are managed
stakeholders gave multiple examples (83%) were for Aboriginal tenants. are totally different… its more
of ineligibility due to children or culturally appropriate“
grandchildren not being specifically Ability to Transfer
listed on their Centrelink etc. – Aboriginal Property Manager
The ability to transfer to a more
Beyond caring obligations, to be suitable home is often impeded
eligible for a larger property e.g. to by policies that deem someone
allow visitors to stay, individuals ineligible. For example, under
EVALUATION SNAPSHOT | 09SUITABILITY OF HOUSING OPTIONS
House Size, Reunification Overall, 39% of Aboriginal tenancy and the need to avoid areas where
and Visitors exits were due to eviction, there may be family feuding
compared to 34% of non-Aboriginal that could put their tenancies
Additional rooms are fundamental
exits. As demonstrated throughout in danger/at risk.
in enabling family to stay, or for
case studies, many people were
reunification to occur. Strong unable to let family stay due to Design
kinship relations and pressures fear of losing their homes. This Housing is typically designed for
to accommodate extended family often led to deep feelings of sadness western families and is at odds
members who are homeless can and increased loneliness, and in with Aboriginal obligations to
lead to overcrowding. Which can some instances the eventual accommodate extended families.12
contribute to risks of tenancy abandonment of properties to be As noted above Aboriginal tenants
eviction and homelessness, e.g. closer to family either in someone supported in 50 Lives need homes
increased chance of family and else’s tenancies or on the streets. that can accommodate family
domestic violence, property therefore more culturally appropriate
damage, and antisocial behaviour. Location
housing that is affordable, safe
As observed in 50 Lives and by its Housing location is critical for the and secure is critical to address
stakeholders, if there are cumulative Aboriginal people supported through this. In a study by Shelter SA,
evictions within a family group 50 Lives for a multitude of reasons 60% of respondents indicated
these can create a “domino effect” e.g. proximity to other family that private rentals were not
in which multiple generations can members and healing areas (such culturally appropriate for them
end up homeless all at the same time. as those situated on the Swan River) or their families.
CULTURAL APPROPRIATENESS OF HOUSING PROVIDERS
Throughout discussions with This includes the provision of
individuals supported by 50 Lives housing supply and services “I’m actually going to do the
and their lead workers, feelings managed by Aboriginal Community inspections for those particular
of judgement where often noted Controlled Organisations.” 13 people… I went out there to meet
when non-Aboriginal landlords them – to introduce myself
Additionally, Shelter SA and just find some connection
came into their homes for property
recommends mandatory with them, which I did through
inspections. Per recommendation
cultural training for all property family, friends and so. And they
4 of the joint Shelter WA and
managers to ensure they were actually looking forward
WA Alliance submission to the for me to come and inspect their
understand cultural differences
Federal Parliamentary Inquiry property to show us that they
and how to challenge negative
on Homelessness “services for can live, they’re doing well.
cultural stereotypes.12
Aboriginal and Torres Strait So it’s just things like that that
Islander people must be culturally make a difference…. you have
informed and culturally led… to build a relationship with
them where they trust you.”
– Noongar Mia Mia
010 | ABORIGINAL EXPERIENCES OF HOUSING FIRSTIMPLICATIONS FOR HOUSING FIRST IN
AN ABORIGINAL CONTEXT
The findings and recommendations mainstream services and staff indicating that there is an urgent
presented in this snapshot provide embed cultural safety, trauma need for culturally sensitive
an overview of some of the key informed practice and the building approaches to ending Indigenous
successes and challenges for of trusting relationships of mutual homelessness. The Wongee Mia
Aboriginal peoples in the Australian respect. This may mean that project is one such way to Indigenise
Housing First context. These should non-Aboriginal workers need to Housing First to an Australian
be considered in the adaptation of an also work with family Elders in context whereby it takes a self-
Aboriginal Housing First model that addition to their clients to have a determination model to address
is due to be developed in 2021 led by more holistic understanding of the family homelessness (which is a
Noongar Mia Mia in conjunction with ongoing challenges that Aboriginal fundamental freedom as outlined
the WA ACCO’s and sponsored by the peoples face today. by the United Nations Declaration
WA Alliance to End Homelessness. of the Rights of Indigenous Peoples
Additional ways to strengthen the (UNDRIP)). There are many other
As shown in the recently published Aboriginal Housing First approach Aboriginal families supported via
paper on Wongee Mia10 and in the in WA include the need for: 50 Lives (now the Zero Project),
literature more broadly, different
– More Aboriginal support that this type of framework could
approaches to Aboriginal housing
services/workers to help people be appropriate to expand to.
are needed that are both driven by
and are responsive to the needs maintain their tenancies and
of Aboriginal people themselves. provide culturally appropriate
Flexible models of support and support; “…I’m feeling a little
housing are needed to account for apprehensive in that area
– Larger housing options to because there’s racism around
changing circumstances (such as allow people to accommodate Fremantle. They just broadcast
the need to care for grandkids), extended families; their racism openly in their
family responsibilities and cultural front yards. I grew up here, this
– More housing provided via
security. Self-determination and is my home, and the strong
Aboriginal Community Controlled
choice are paramount, along community support is what it’s
Organisations (ACCO) and where
with non-punitive support that all about, normally. We’re all
not possible, cultural competency in together as one. Until I saw
enables people to flourish within
their tenancies. training of other HSO’s in the that flag and was threatened
importance of family and the to be lynched.”
As raised by stakeholders, lead kinship obligations around
– Aboriginal Female,50 Lives
workers and Aboriginal 50 Lives needing to house family when
participants themselves, there is a they also become homeless;
critical need for more Aboriginal – Expand programs of support
support workers and Aboriginal such as Wongee Mia to other
housing providers in future Housing suitable families to overcome
First iterations in WA. Reflecting large-scale family homelessness.
different understanding of their
needs and can reduce feelings of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander
“being shamed” by non-Aboriginal peoples remain disproportionately
workers. Where its not possible to affected by homelessness
have specific Aboriginal workers compared to their non-Aboriginal
involved, it is imperative that counterparts, with the evidence
EVALUATION SNAPSHOT | 011REFERENCES
1. Department of Communities. All Paths Lead to a Home. Western Australia’s 10-Year Strategy on Homelessness 2020-2030: Department
of Communities, Government of Western Australia, 2020.
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Canberra: AIHW; 2019.
3. Memmott, P.; Nash, D. Chapter 10: Indigenous Homelessness: Australian Context. In Indigenous Homelessness: Perspectives from
Canada, Australia, and New Zealand; Peters, E.J., Christensen, J., Eds.; University of Manitoba Press: Winnipeg, MB, Canada,
2016; pp. 213–220.
4. Atkinson, J. Trauma Trails, Recreating Song Lines: The Transgenerational Effects of Trauma in Indigenous Australia; Spinifex Press:
Melbourne, Australia, 2002.
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6. Lawson-Te Aho K, Fariu-Ariki P, Ombler J, Aspinall C, Howden-Chapman P, Pierse N. A principles framework for taking action on
Māori/Indigenous Homelessness in Aotearoa/New Zealand. SSM-population health. 2019 Aug 1;8:100450.
7. Distasio J, Zell S, McCullough S, Edel B. Localized Approaches to Ending Homelessness: Indigenizing Housing First. Winnipeg: Institute
of Urban Studies; 2019.
8. Independent Hospital Pricing Authority. National Hospital Cost Data Collection, Public Hospitals Cost Report Round 22 (Financial year
2017-2018), 2020.
9. Vallesi S, Wood L, Gazey A, Cumming C, Zaretzky K, Irwin E. 50 Lives 50 Homes: A Housing First Response to Ending Homelessness
in Perth. Third Evaluation Report. Perth, Western Australia: Centre for Social Impact and the School of Population and Global Health:
University of Western Australia, 2020.
10. Vallesi S, Tighe E, Bropho H, Potangaroa M, Watkins L. Wongee Mia: An Innovative Family-Centred Approach to Addressing
Aboriginal Housing Needs and Preventing Eviction in Australia. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health.
2020 Jan;17(15):5501.
11. Government of Western Australia. Housing Authority Rental Policy Manual. July 2020.
12. Shelter SA. “I am tired of being treated like a second-class citizen!” Racial Discrimination in the Private Rental Market. May 2019.
13. Shelter WA, WA Alliance to End Homelessness. House of Representatives Standing Committee on Social Policy and Legal Affairs.
Inquiry into homelessness in Australia. Joint Submission. April 2020.
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