Projects

Aboriginal housing

In July, representatives from Aboriginal and mainstream housing organisations and peak bodies met in Brisbane under the auspices of National
Shelter to discuss a range of housing issues facing Aboriginal peoples and to develop possible solutions. In August, National Shelter released a policy platform entitled, 'A way forward for housing Indigenous peoples in Australia', which calls for an urgent injection of resources to address the housing needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

• 'A way forward for housing Indigenous peoples in Australia', August 2010: download (pdf ~245 kb)

Tenancy policy

We have conducted a multi-dimensional project on issues affecting tenants in private rental markets across Australia, and this project was funded by the Commonwealth Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs.

We commissioned the National Association of Tenant Organizations to undertake a review of tenancy protections in the various state/territory jurisdictions. A report, 'A better lease on life', was released in April, and it outlines a reform agenda to improve tenants' rights frameworks across Australia. If the Commonwealth can negotiate better tenant rights with the states and territories, we can reduce Australia’s high levels of homelessness and improve tenant security. You can download the report here:

• 'A better lease on life: improving Australian tenancy law', April 2010: download (pdf ~1,860 kb)

Older Australians' housing

We conducted a series of roundtable forums around Australia in early 2009, to identify key housing issues and opportunities facing older Australians. This project was funded by the Commonwealth Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs. We commissioned Roland Naufel of 4C Consulting to do a literature review and facilitate consultative forums. You can download the literature review and the report on the forums here:

• 'Literature review of seniors housing in Australia', January 2009: download (pdf ~390 kb)
• 'Outcomes of the Older persons roundtable forums: key issues and opportunities facing older people and housing in Australia', June 2009: download (pdf ~175 kb)