Indigenous Housing System in Australia: case study evidence

Published by AHURI in February 2026 this is the second of three reports arising from a research Inquiry examining Australia’s Indigenous housing system. The report examines how the system is structured, operates, and is funded, and explores housing tenure choices for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

Interviews were undertaken with 60 key Indigenous housing stakeholders – both government and community-based. In addition, researchers undertook a desktop analysis of relevant documents, websites and reports.

The research found while multiple agencies are developing and implementing Indigenous housing policy at federal, state and territory levels, no national agency or minister has designated overall responsibility. This has led to complex, diverse and poorly coordinated governance arrangements. While the desire for self-determination is positively contributing to change, existing initiatives are failing to realise objectives and a national strategy to guide Indigenous housing is needed. In addition they found the potential of many Indigenous housing organisations is untapped and not helped by a range of funding and finance barriers.

Recommended policy actions

• Establish a national Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander housing strategy. A comprehensive, long-term national strategy is required to align governance mechanisms and policies across all levels of government and meet established targets. The Indigenous-led strategy development should be based on firm policy and cultural principles and consider the full housing continuum.
• Guarantee dedicated funding. A national Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander housing investment plan with adequate funding commitments and a fit-for-purpose funding model is proposed to tackle unmet housing need.
• Bolster Indigenous community-controlled housing. A range of initiatives to support sector growth and sustainability includes subsidies to address gaps between rents and operating costs, and simplification of the housing regulation system to reduce administrative burdens and support ICCHOs to achieve and maintain registration.
• Boost innovative housing options. Hybrid tenure options (such as shared equity, rent-to-buy and community land trusts) and flexible community-controlled housing models have the potential to achieve greater security of tenure and housing choice.
• Enhance self-determination. To meet Closing the Gap commitments, the Housing Policy Partnership needs sustained investment, and governments need to respect its processes and recommendations.