By Candice Boyle
ABORIGINAL people residing in homes managed by the Office of Housing will soon be given a greater access to housing options.
The chief executive of Western Suburbs Indigenous Gathering Place, Colleen Marion, said Aboriginal residents in the Maribyrnong City Council area would benefit from changes to the set up of the housing organisation.
Under the new changes, Victorian tenants of the Aboriginal Rental Housing Program will be given the opportunity to transfer their tenancy to an Aboriginal housing organisation.
Ms Marion said the changes had been a long time coming and were a rewarding outcome for Aboriginal people.
“It has taken a long time for these changes to come about, it is a good step for an Aboriginal organisation to take control of Aboriginal housing,” she said.
Under the changes, Aboriginal Housing Victoria and the Office of Housing will work in collaboration to provide an improved service to Victorian Aborigines.
Ms Marion said the new body would have a specific understanding of the needs of Aboriginal people in the housing system.
“Office of Housing will continue to do the maintenance and repairs on the properties and Aboriginal Housing Victoria will manage the other areas and issues of housing,” she said.
Housing Minister Richard Wynne said the opportunity offered tenants an Aboriginal landlord focused on providing more choice in housing programs and determination over housing services.
“Aboriginal Housing Victoria will provide tenants with an Aboriginal landlord and a more personalised service by Aboriginal people for Aboriginal people — with a particular emphasis on meeting individual needs,” he said.
The chairman of Aboriginal Housing Victoria, Tim Chatfield, said the changes would allow Aboriginal Housing Victoria the opportunity to expand its housing portfolio, with government support and regulation.
Information will be sent to tenants to explain the optional transfer, and further information is available by contacting Aboriginal Housing Victoria’s advice line on 1300 724 882.
