A combined $9 million in funding has been dedicated to affordable housing projects in Roebourne and Halls Creek.
Yindjibarndi Aboriginal Corporation (Yindjibarndi) and Yura Yungi Medical Service Aboriginal Corporation (Yura Yungi) will deliver the Ganalili Development project and Yura Yungi Employee Accommodation and Career Development project respectively.
The Ganalili Development will commit $5.9 million to designing and constructing 10 transitional housing units and training facilities in Roebourne. These properties will be allocated to apprentices, low-income tradespeople and individuals leaving the justice system, with the aim of ensuring participants have access to affordable, long-term accommodation and a pathway to private home ownership.
Worth $3.1 million, the Yura Yungi Employee Accommodation and Career Development project will provide affordable housing choices and supported, professional development opportunities for Aboriginal medical staff and trainees in Halls Creek.
Brenda Garstone, CEO of Yura Yungi said that this project will have a positive impact on those involved, as well as future generations.
“This opportunity is well over-due as employees have struggled to balance work and family commitments due to living in overcrowded conditions.
“By having stable and affordable housing staff can now look forward to a brighter future and quality of life for them and their families.
“It is a win-win situation, as it is a highly valued incentive to attract and retain local staff and build a sustainable skilled workforce, and the community will also benefit from having access to a local health service being delivered by local Aboriginal staff.
“The Aboriginal staff will become role models in our community to future generations where students will aspire to be like their leaders and establish a desire to pursue a career in health.”
The corporation will be supported by Department of Communities to undertake and deliver the project, which will see five homes built and will help attract, upskill and retain local Aboriginal people that may have otherwise left Halls Creek, based on factors such as a high cost of living, limited employment opportunities and challenges of living remotely.
Both initiatives have been made possible due to investment by the North-West Aboriginal Housing Fund which seeks to enable pathways to independence and wellbeing.
