A new report commissioned by Aboriginal Housing NT released Thursday has urged governments to work with the Aboriginal community-controlled homelands sector to develop a shared long-term vision and increase investment in housing and infrastructure across the Northern Territory homelands.

The report, funded by the Northern Territory government's Department of Housing, Local Government and Community Development, drew on extensive consultations with stakeholders across the homelands sector to identify challenges and opportunities for strengthening homelands service providers.

Homelands are small, often remote Aboriginal living areas located outside larger communities and towns. Between 6000 and 10,000 Aboriginal Territorians live on around 400 homelands across the Territory.

Aboriginal Housing NT noted that for many Aboriginal people, homelands are places where they can live on Country, fulfil cultural obligations, maintain connections to family and traditional estates, and strengthen language, ceremony, and identity. Research conducted by the Menzies School of Health Research indicates Aboriginal people living on homelands have better direct and indirect health and wellbeing outcomes.

Housing ageing and in 'very poor condition'

The new report found that ageing house stock, ongoing policy uncertainty, limited infrastructure and maintenance continue to present "major challenges" for homelands communities and the organisations that support them. Housing on many homelands is ageing and in very poor condition, with a large amount beyond economic repair.

The remoteness of many homelands makes building and maintaining homes costly and logistically complex with materials having to be transported long distances and limited access to skilled tradespeople. Homeland service providers who participated in the consultation also highlighted significant funding constraints, workforce shortages, limited infrastructure and complex reporting requirements as key barriers to delivering effective services and significantly undermine efforts to grow the sector.

The report notes many of these challenges stem from "a lack of clear, coordinated policy direction across governments".

"Aboriginal people have been telling us for decades they want to live on homelands and return to their Country, but governments are less clear on their future vision for homelands," the report states.

'Shared long-term strategic policy' needed

The report makes several recommendations aimed at strengthening the sector and supporting sustainable homelands communities.

The key recommendations call for Aboriginal Housing NT, the homelands sector, Land Councils and the federal and Northern Territory governments to work together to agree on a "shared long-term strategic policy" for homelands that is aligned with commitments under the National Agreement on Closing the Gap and the National Partnership Agreement on Remote Housing.

The report also recommends taking "a more holistic approach" to homelands investment by linking housing policy with broader social and economic outcomes, including employment, community governance, health and wellbeing.

Stakeholders emphasised that homelands are not only important culturally but also play a vital role in the Northern Territory's housing system. By providing culturally appropriate housing close to Country, Aboriginal Housing NT noted on the release of the new report, homelands reduce pressure on overcrowded housing in larger remote communities and support stronger cultural resilience and self-determination.

'It is time for the government to listen to the people'

The independent Member for the NT electorate of Mulka, Yiŋiya Guyula MLA, said governments must listen to homelands residents.

"We can see all around us that government policies are failing," Mr Guyula said.

"It is time for the government to listen to the people about what we are saying is needed for our people. And what we have been saying for decades is we need new housing and infrastructure in our homelands."

The report argues that now is "a critical time" for housing policy in the Northern Territory and that homelands must be recognised as a critical part of the broader housing continuum.

Aboriginal Housing NT said stakeholders who engaged in the research said that with the right sustained investment, partnerships and long-term planning, "homelands can continue to support strong culture, healthy communities, reduce overcrowding and create meaningful economic opportunities for Aboriginal people across the NT".

NT Minister for Aboriginal Affairs Steve Edgington told National Indigenous Times the Territory government acknowledged "the important role homelands play for many Aboriginal Territorians and recognises the continued collaboration across governments, Land Councils, and Aboriginal organisations involved in supporting these communities".

"Work relating to homelands continues to occur within existing program settings, including the administration of the Northern Territory government's Homelands Services Program and the delivery of the Australian government's previously announced funding initiatives," he said.

"The government values the contribution of AHNT and other stakeholders and will continue to listen to a diversity of perspectives as part of ongoing engagement with the Joint Steering Committee for Remote Housing NT and associated working groups.

"The government remains focused on delivering existing programs, supporting service provider networks, and ensuring that homelands residents continue to receive essential services under current arrangements."

National Indigenous Times contacted the federal housing minister for comment.