Housing Sector Strengthening Plan
Housing Sector Strengthening Plan
A National Plan for Stronger Indigenous Housing
The Housing Sector Strengthening Plan is a nationally significant commitment to grow and sustain the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander housing sector. Designed with and for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Community Controlled Housing Organisations (ATSICCHOs), the plan provides a clear, actionable roadmap to ensure communities can lead, deliver, and manage safe, secure, and culturally appropriate housing.
This plan was co-designed through a national process grounded in community voice. NATSIHA worked alongside more than 130 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander housing providers, sector leaders, and community-controlled peaks, holding conversations in every jurisdiction to listen, understand the challenges, and elevate what’s working on the ground. This deep engagement has been matched by collaborative work with government partners through the Housing Policy Partnership, ensuring national alignment with the Closing the Gap Priority Reforms and housing-specific targets.
Our Progress
A Roadmap for Community-Controlled Housing
The Plan outlines practical steps to:
More than a document, the Housing Sector Strengthening Plan is a commitment to self-determination in housing. It is a platform to transform the sector so that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are not just participants in housing systems—but leaders, owners, and drivers of their own housing futures.
The plan focuses on strengthening:
Workforce
A national workforce development plan is essential to build capacity and strengthen the sector. Currently, success relies on passionate individuals working in an ad-hoc manner. Targeted sector-specific training, a public relations campaign to attract talent, and innovative job and training programs for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are needed to ensure a sustainable and skilled workforce.
Governance
Strong governance is key to sector growth, government partnerships, and investment. Strengthening board and senior staff capability will empower the sector to lead and innovate while embedding cultural obligations at its core. Unlike mainstream systems, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander governance is built on deep-rooted responsibilities, relationships, and collective decision-making—ensuring leadership reflects and upholds the strengths of our communities.
Service Delivery
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Community Controlled Housing Organisations provide holistic tenant support but are often underfunded for these essential services. Many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people lack trust in mainstream services, making it critical to prioritise grants that strengthen ATSICCHO service delivery, in line with Clause 55 of the National Agreement.
Consistent Funding Model
Sustainable funding is essential for sector growth and effective service delivery. Investing in safe, secure, and healthy homes improves social outcomes, from better health to reduced demand for crisis services. Future procurement must align with Indigenous procurement policies to ensure long-term stability and impact.
Capital Infrastructure
Sustaining and expanding ATSICCHO housing services requires well-managed infrastructure, ongoing tenancy support, and long-term asset planning. However, gaps in data make it difficult to identify community needs. NATSIHA is leading a national data collection project to guide targeted funding and investment.
Peak Body
A strong Sector requires support from a peak body governed by a majority Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Board with robust
