This important Shelter SA paper was originally published in Parity May 2013 edition, Volume 26, Issue 4.
Australian public housing policies and service provision do not incorporate evidence-based
information about Aboriginal culture and this is extremely detrimental to Aboriginal people.
When compared to other countries, Australia is regressing in the provision of public housing
for Aboriginal people rather than developing because of the mainstreaming of policy and
service provision.
This paper supports the efforts of Shelter SA to raise awareness and lobby Federal and State governments to remove assimilationist housing policies and services and develop alternatives that reflect evidence-based, culturally appropriate knowledge and still pay attention to accountability and transparency. Shelter SA is the peak body for housing and homelessness in South Australia but the issues raised here are applicable on a national level.
The aim of this work is not to ‘preach to the converted’ but to re-ignite debate and discussion about detrimental mainstream housing policy and practice.