Aboriginal rental housing program

The Aboriginal Rental Housing Program (ARHP) is just one of a number of programs that exist specifically for people from Indigenous backgrounds who are homeless or at risk of homelessness. The Program is funded through the Commonwealth State Housing Agreement  (CSHA) which was introduced in 1979 to help with Indigenous housing needs.

Indigenous people have a significantly greater need for housing assistance than non-Indigenous people, with 21 percent of Indigenous people experiencing homelessness or overcrowding. This compares with a figure of 3.6 percent for non-Indigenous Australians.

Whilst there is significant housing need in both urban and rural and remote regions, ARHP funds are directed to rural and remote areas where there are no public or private housing markets. In these areas there are high levels of overcrowding and need for more housing and better quality housing.

Aboriginal Housing Transfer

In 2007, Indigenous tenants living in properties managed through the Office of Housing’s Aboriginal Rental Housing Program were given the option of transferring the management of their tenancy to Aboriginal Housing Victoria (AHV). Almost 1000 properties have since been transferred.

The transfer was initiated by the Victorian Government as part of their commitment to self-determination and improved housing options for Aboriginal people.

Under the new arrangement, tenants will have an Aboriginal landlord and a more personalised and culturally sensitive service by Aboriginal people for Aboriginal people – with a particular emphasis on meeting individual needs.