Indigenous support

Census data from 1991 shows Indigenous families to be approximately 16 times more likely than other Australian families to be homeless, and to be twice as likely to be living in poverty after paying housing costs.

Indigenous Australians make up 2.4 percent of the total population but comprise 18 per cent of Supported Accommodation Assistance Program (SAAP) clients (SAAP, May 2004).

Cultural difference, higher rates of poverty, poor health, premature ageing, substance abuse, incarceration, educational disadvantage, limited employment opportunities and welfare dependency all contribute to the higher representation of Indigenous people in the homeless population. A lack of affordable, culturally appropriate housing, and discrimination in housing markets, can further increase a propensity to homelessness.

A number of programs exist specifically for people from Indigenous backgrounds who are homeless or at risk of homelessness.

Indigenous Tenants at Risk

Eligible tenants of public or community housing can access the Indigenous Tenants at Risk program, which supports them to maintain their tenancy and therefore improve future housing prospects.

As part of the Victorian Homelessness Strategy, developmental work was undertaken by Indigenous services in metropolitan and regional Victoria to improve housing prospects for Indigenous families and individuals.

The Indigenous Tenants at Risk Program works with tenants of public or community housing, including Aboriginal Housing Victoria properties. Households are supported to stabilise and retain their housing arrangements rather than leave the property or risk eviction and its consequent impact on community connection, employment, schooling and recreation [1].

Victorian Indigenous Statewide Homelessness Network

Formed by the Office of Housing, the Victorian Indigenous Statewide Homelessness Network (VISHN) is made up of organisations providing support to Indigenous communities. VISHN develops strategies that respond to homelessness in Indigenous communities, and aims to inform the Office of Housing in the development of programs of support and housing.

[1] Jones, R. 1994, The Housing Needs of Indigenous Australians (1991 monograph series), Centre for Aboriginal Economic Policy Research, Australian National University, Canberra, p. 164–65.