Yued Aboriginal Corporation has finalised and announced its Housing Strategy, which sets the corporation's agenda in the sector for the next decade.
Under the terms of the South West Native Title Settlement, land to be transferred by the Western Australian government to the Noongar Boodja Trust can include land that is zoned residential.
In the Yued Agreement Area this includes lots in locations like Moora and Jurien Bay, Calingiri and Guilderton, as well as Lancelin, Dandaragan and Badgingarra. The Settlement does not provide capital with which to build on that land.
Capital from the Noongar Future Fund - the Noongar Boodja Trust investment fund - will only be available from 2032. To undertake a building program before then, which Yued Aboriginal Corporation noted is "desperately needed in the region", will require working on targeted projects with multiple funding sources.
Yued Aboriginal Corporation chairperson Sharna Meinertz said the Housing Strategy is "so much more than bricks and mortar".
"For Yued people, a safe, secure, and culturally appropriate home is the foundation upon which we build our lives, maintain our deep connections to Country and community, and live with dignity and self-determination.
"Yet, for too long, many of our members have faced systemic barriers within the housing system, from severe overcrowding and affordability pressures to a lack of options tailored to our Elders and young people."
After a consultation process during the course of the year, the strategy, announced Monday, makes four recommendations: Strategic Partnership in Housing Delivery and Economic Development Becoming an active, informed strategic partner, contributing land; New Pathways to Secure Housing Exploring models such as build-to-rent, rent-to-buy and build to rent and buy; Appoint a Housing Support Officer To help members navigate various housing options, including social housing, affordable housing and support for private home ownership; and improve Access to the Housing Land Fund Work with our colleagues across the South West and Perpetual, as the trustee for the Noongar Boodja Trust, to access the Settlement's Housing Land Fund for the benefit of members.
Ms Meinertz said the 10-year strategy "marks a turning point".
"It is a practical, community-led roadmap designed to change that reality," she said.
Yued Aboriginal Corporation said the strategy sets a timetable for the corporation to address each of the strategic priorities, establishing a pathway to achieving the corporation's housing vision: "All Yued people are able to access safe, secure and affordable homes that suit their needs, culture and choices close to family, services and economic opportunity, supported by the Yued Aboriginal Corporation that generates its own income from housing to reinvest in Yued people, projects and programs."
Yued AC chief executive Rewi Lyall noted that as of Monday, 9 November, "there are no houses for rent in Moora, the regional town where most Yued Nyoongars live".
"This also means there are no houses for rent for community service providers who might want to deliver full-time services in Moora. No houses to rent for business owners or for government," he said.
"This housing strategy is the foundation upon which we hope to build a case for a construction program that will benefit Yued Nyoongars, yes, but will be beneficial to communities throughout the Yued Agreement Area."
