Program helps families transition into own homes

Dozens of Aboriginal families in Broome and Derby are a step closer to achieving their goal of home ownership since the roll-out of the West Kimberley Transitional Housing Program.

The WKTHP is a partnership between the State Government — through the Housing Authority — and the Kimberley Development Commission, supported by Royalties for Regions.

It provides stable, affordable housing to Aboriginal people who are engaged in employment or training and ensure their children attend school regularly.

The program will deliver a minimum of 40 houses in Broome and 20 in Derby.

So far, 25 properties have been built in Broome and 14 in Derby.

The remaining dwellings are expected to be built throughout 2016 and early 2017.

During the official launch in Broome last week, Regional Development Minister Terry Redman said about 50 adults and 50 children were living in transitional housing.

The event was held at a newly unveiled home built by Colin Wilkinson Developments, attended by government representatives, traditional owners and community members, with Yawuru woman Dianne Appleby and Derby elder Lena Buckle performing a Welcome to Country and a smoking ceremony.

Mr Redman said the scheme was about people, not houses.

“It’s a big shift from where we’ve been, building houses that incentivise people to get into the workforce and incentivise kids to attend school,” he said.

“What better incentive could you have than a house and having people flipping the argument about being in a social house and if you get offered a job you might lose your house.

“If you get a job, you actually get a house and that’s what this is about.

“The ultimate goal is for participants to move into private rental or purchase their own home.”

Housing Authority acting director-general Paul Whyte said the department had chosen two partners for the WKTHP, Community Housing Limited and Centacare Kimberley, to help with tenancy, property management and wrap-around assistance services.