- $16.7 million in grant funding awarded to six remote Aboriginal organisations to undertake essential maintenance works
- Maintenance works to upgrade more than 100 dwellings completed across the Goldfields-Esperance, Kimberley, Pilbara, Mid West and Gascoyne regions
- Funded through Community Housing Grants program
More than 100 Remote Aboriginal Community housing dwellings across the Goldfields-Esperance, Kimberley, Pilbara, Mid West and Gascoyne regions have undergone major maintenance to extend their useful life and ensure they remain fit-for-purpose.
These major refurbishments were funded through the Cook Labor Government's Community Housing Grants program.
The State Government has allocated $16.7 million to the Remote Aboriginal Communities Maintenance Grants Program under the program, with six Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations (ACCOs) funded for maintenance work across 10 remote communities.
While more than 125 homes have undergone significant maintenance work, with a further 60 remote Aboriginal community housing dwellings currently with works under contract.
Three of the funded ACCOs, Jamukurnu Yapalikurnu Aboriginal Corporation (JYAC), Kurrawang Aboriginal Christian Community (KACC) and Ngaanyatjarra Council Aboriginal Corporation (NCAC) have completed significant maintenance works on 95 homes, creating positive change in their communities and improving the daily lives of tenants.
The $16.7 million in funding covers maintenance works including major improvements to kitchens and bathrooms, replacement of cabinetry, pest control, waterproofing, flooring and tiling repairs as well as general plaster and tiling works.
The Cook Labor Government has invested more than $200 million in social and community housing grants to deliver more social and affordable housing dwellings and to undertake maintenance and refurbishment to thousands of social and community housing dwellings.
As stated by Housing Minister John Carey:
"Our Government is doing everything we can to boost housing through the State, including through our record $3.2 billion investment in housing and homelessness measures - which includes delivery of around 5,000 social homes and maintenance and refurbishment to many thousands more.
"We continue to provide millions of dollars to the community housing sector - including remote Aboriginal communities to undertake refurbishments and maintenance to ensure remote community housing stock remains fit-for-purpose.
"These major works are enabling remote Aboriginal community organisations to build on their commitment to supporting Aboriginal employment and training outcomes in local regional communities.
"The Remote Aboriginal Communities Maintenance Grants Program is being delivered through our Government's Community Housing Grants program and is supporting organisations providing social housing in remote areas, and improve the liveability and lifespan of existing homes."
As stated by Pilbara MLA Kevin Michel:
"As part of the Cook Labor Government's Community Housing Grants, nearly $2.8 million in funding for Jamukurnu Yapalikurnu Aboriginal Corporation was announced in June 2023, to deliver essential maintenance works across several of their dwellings in the Pilbara.
"It's great to see these works undertaken and completed providing essential maintenance to housing in the Pilbara, as the Cook Labor Government continues to deliver for regional Western Australia."
