- Cook Government announces $10.44 million in grants awarded to deliver new, refurbished or spot-purchased homes for Aboriginal employees
- Seven projects funded through six Aboriginal Controlled Community Organisations in the Kimberley and Pilbara regions
- Funded by Cook Government's $200 million North-West Aboriginal Housing Fund
The Cook Labor Government has today announced $10.44 million in grants to six Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations (ACCOs) in the Pilbara and Kimberley regions to build, refurbish or purchase homes for use as affordable rentals for their employees.
The ACCO Aboriginal Employee Housing Grants Program will increase housing supply in the regions through a combination of new builds, spot purchase and refurbishment of existing homes.
The grant program is funded as part of the State Government's $200 million North-West Aboriginal Housing Fund and will support eligible ACCOs deliver accommodation assistance for their workforce.
The Grant Application Period opened on 1 July 2024 and closed on 30 August 2024 with a strong response from across the Kimberley and Pilbara regions.
There were seven successful submissions from six ACCOs:
- Walalakoo Aboriginal Corporation (Kimberley based);
- Murujuga Aboriginal Corporation (Pilbara based);
- Wunan Foundation (Kimberley based);
- Djarindjin Aboriginal Corporation (Kimberley based);
- Kimberley Aboriginal Law and Cultural Centre (Kimberley based); and
- Robe River Kuruma Aboriginal Corporation (Pilbara based).
The program aims to support and further enhance the valuable work led by ACCOs across the State's North West, by providing secure and stable housing for employees and their families.
As stated by Housing Minister John Carey:
"Our Labor Government continues to get on with delivering a record $4.5 billion investment in housing and homelessness measures - across our State and in particular across regional Western Australia.
"Today, our Cook Labor Government has delivered $10.44 million in grants to six credible Aboriginal Controlled Community Organisations to boost and refurbish housing across the Kimberley and Pilbara regions.
"This program supports the incredible work of ACCOs across the North West by providing secure and affordable housing for Aboriginal employees and their families.
"Our $200 million North-West Aboriginal Housing Fund and this Government's continued reforms are supporting housing options and funding for Aboriginal people in the Kimberley and the Pilbara."
As stated by Kimberley MLA Divina D'Anna:
"The Cook Labor Government continues to support Aboriginal organisations in the Kimberley to deliver employer-provided housing to their workers.
"Four Aboriginal Controlled Community Organisations across the Kimberley will share in a total $10.44 million commitment to boost housing supply across the region.
"We all know a safe and secure home provides stability, safety and connection to community and is at the core of improving a person's overall wellbeing.
"It will enable those employees to improve their income and financial wellbeing as they are supported by their employer to achieve their career goals."
As stated by Pilbara MLA Kevin Michel:
"It is fantastic that the Cook Labor Government's $200 million North-West Aboriginal Housing Fund has awarded a share of the total $10.44 million commitment to two Aboriginal Controlled Community Organisations right here in the Pilbara.
"This funding will assist both Murujuga Aboriginal Corporation and Robe River Kuruma Aboriginal Corporation to build, refurbish or purchase new homes as affordable rental homes for their employees to attract and retain these vital staff."
