Last month, the latest update on Australia’s ‘Closing the Gap’ strategy news update highlighted a confronting truth – homelessness continues to disproportionately impact Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Despite representing 3.2 per cent of the population, First Nations peoples made up a significant percentage of those experiencing homelessness.

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Mark Spina, Outreach and Advocacy Leader at i24s Group (i24s) (the Group) says, “A key focus of the National Agreement on Closing the Gap is Target 9a – which aims to increase the proportion of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people living in appropriately sized (not overcrowded) housing to 88 per cent by 2031. Meeting this target is essential for improving health, education, and employment outcomes, and supporting First Nations people to thrive on their own terms.”

 

Since 1 July 2024, the National Agreement on Social Housing and Homelessness (NASHH) (Agreement) has committed $9.3 billion over five years to support social housing and homelessness services across the country. This Agreement recognises the need for shared decision-making and culturally safe service delivery – a principle long called for by Indigenous leaders and community organisations.

 

Mark adds, “Cultural safety and self-determination are not just ideals – they are essential. Approaches like WA’s Noongar Housing First Principles and the Aboriginal-led Together Home Program from New South Wales (NSW) show that long-lasting solutions can be achieved when Aboriginal-led organisations are at the forefront, designing, delivering and leading homelessness and housing services.”

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The Noongar Housing First Principles are grounded in the concept of doyntj-doyntj koorliny (‘going along together’) to achieve greater collective impact through meaningful partnerships and strong relationships along the journey from homelessness to secure, stable and culturally safe housing. The six principles are: 

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1. Noongar people and their families have a right to a home with cultural connections to boodjar (‘land or Country’), moort (‘family’) and kaartdijin (‘knowledge, cultural knowledge’);

2. Support is flexible, culturally appropriate and is available whenever needed;

3. Choice and self-determination with no cultural compromise;

4. Culturally-appropriate active engagement through kwop daa (‘good talk’);

5. Support focuses on strengthening wirrin (‘sprit, soul’); and

6. Social, cultural and community inclusion.

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The NSW Together Home Program, is another example of a successful Housing First model that is informed by cultural principles. In this model, the support provider, is directly contracted by the NSW Department of Communities and Justice, while the community housing provider, Home in Place, provides the housing component. The model exhibits a high degree of partnership and inspires strong collaboration between all parties. Positioning the ACCO as the lead delivers two key benefits: it prioritises a culturally safe operational framework; and, it builds the capacity of the ACCO.

i24s proudly stands in this space. As a market-leading, Aboriginal-owned business, we are committed to playing a key role in closing the gap. Our Outreach and Advocacy services are built around cultural safety, local community engagement and a commitment to helping all people experiencing homelessness – especially, our Aboriginal brothers and sisters.

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Mark says, “The path to closing the gap on homelessness is through strong partnerships, cultural leadership, and real action on the ground. Our job is confronting at times but it is also deeply rewarding .”
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For further information about our capabilities, please visit i24s.com.au and/or call +61 8 9209 2090.​​​​