Housing policy partnership

Policy topic: Housing

In short

The Housing Policy Partnership (HPP) brings together Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander representatives and all levels of government.

Together we're developing a joined-up partnership approach and shared-decision forum on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander housing policy.

Establishing the partnership

The Joint Council on Closing the Gap approved the establishment of the HPP under Priority One of the National Agreement on Closing the Gap.

Visit the Closing the Gap website to:

Partnership members

The National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Housing Association (NATSIHA) co-chairs the HPP with the Treasury.

Membership includes:

  • representatives from federal, state and territory governments
  • independent Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander representatives
  • representatives from the Coalition of Peaks.

Visit the Coalition of Peaks website

Purpose of the partnership

The HPP is a forum for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to come together with governments to have a genuine say in the design and delivery of housing for First Nations people.

The Australian Government has committed $9.2 million over 4 years starting from 2022–23, to establish the HPP. This includes resources to support NATSIHA as co-chair and secretariat.

A key output of the HPP is to make recommendations to the Joint Council. It makes recommendations for improving housing outcomes and homelessness prevention for First Nations people.

Visit the NATSIHA website to read more about the partnership

Objectives of the partnership

The objectives of the HPP are to:

  • establish a joined-up partnership approach between all governments and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community representatives to address and improve housing outcomes of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
  • give a focus to the Priority Reforms in the National Agreement, and how they can be harnessed to make the changes needed to ensure that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people secure appropriate, affordable housing that is aligned with their aspirations, priorities and need
  • identify specific reforms to increase the proportion of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people living in appropriately sized and affordable housing, to enable improved life outcomes across areas such as employment, health, education and connection to community and ‘country’
  • identify opportunities to work more effectively across and within governments, the Coalition of Peaks and housing organisations, particularly Aboriginal Community-Controlled Organisations to reduce service gaps and duplication and improve outcomes under the National Agreement
  • support efforts to implement the National Agreement, including meeting targets for the Priority Reform areas and socioeconomic outcomes
  • ensure policy is informed by a community and sector led model that acknowledges and supports Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community-led outcomes on Closing the Gap, through a housing lens.
  • enable Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander representatives, communities, and organisations to negotiate and implement agreements with governments to implement all Priority Reforms, and specific and place-based policy strategies to support the National Agreement.

Visit the Closing the Gap website to read about Closing the Gap implementation plans

Partnership meetings

The HPP holds quarterly meetings. Since commencing in August 2023 the HPP has met on:

  • 26 to 27 August 2025 on Naarm, Melbourne
  • 19 to 20 June 2025 on Yugambeh/Kombumerri Country, Gold Coast
  • 7 to 8 April 2025 online
  • 12 to 13 November 2024 on Palawa Country, Hobart
  • 3 September 2024 on Larrakia Nation, Darwin
  • 13 to 14 June 2024 on Eora Nation, Sydney
  • 7 to 8 March 2024 on Kaurna Country, Adelaide
  • 29 to 30 November 2023 on Kulin Nation, Melbourne
  • 11 August 2023 on Ngunnawal/Ngambri Country, Canberra.

Contact

You can contact:

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