Minimum Housing Standards
Minimum Housing Standards
Building Together
The way housing is designed, built, and maintained has a direct impact on the health, wellbeing, and stability of our communities. Too often, housing standards fail to reflect cultural values, community priorities, or the realities of how our people live. This project is working to change that by developing a national set of minimum housing standards that are informed by the sector, led by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander voices, and embedded in cultural and community expectations.
This is more than just setting a minimum benchmark—it is about embedding cultural integrity, community leadership, and accountability into the way housing is designed, delivered, and sustained. The collective work of the sector is establishing a strong foundation, and these standards will remain a guiding framework for housing outcomes now
Safe Home Advisory Members:
- Ivan Simon
- Alison Page
- Patrick Cooke
- Gillian Barlow
- Barry Ingram
- Jeff Standen
- Gary Oliver
Minimum Housing Standards
Developing a national set of minimum housing standards
This work is being shaped by the knowledge, expertise and lived experience of our sector and the communities we serve.
These standards are being informed by the sector and held by NATSIHA. They are not a static document but a living framework that will continue to evolve alongside our communities. They will provide a clear expectation for government and industry to work within, ensuring that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander housing is built to the right standards from the outset and maintained appropriately over time.
What happens next
As we approach the completion of the national engagement sessions in May, we continue to listen to the voices of our people—past and present—to guide the way forward. The knowledge, experiences, and aspirations shared throughout this process will shape the next steps, ensuring that community leadership remains at the heart of the work. Every voice matters, and together, we will develop a Minimum Housing Standards document that reflects our cultural values, deep connection to Country, and the fundamental need for safe, secure, and culturally appropriate homes.
Led by community and the Safe Home Advisory Group, this document will be drafted with cultural considerations at its core. Once complete, it will return to the communities and organisations who contributed, so they can see their voices reflected, recognise the impact of their work, and take pride in the futures that is shaped by and for them.
This is more than just setting a minimum benchmark—it is about embedding cultural integrity, community leadership, and accountability into the way housing is designed, delivered, and sustained. The collective work of the sector is establishing a strong foundation, and these standards will remain a guiding framework for housing outcomes now
This project prioritises
Cultural Empowerment
Housing should support the way we live, not the other way around. It’s important that standards reflect cultural values, family connections, and community ways of living. This means recognising the need for flexible spaces, room for extended family, and designs that respect and strengthen connection to Country. By working together, we can make sure housing reflects what’s important to us.
Community Engagement
Good housing starts with listening. This work is about creating standards in partnership with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Community Controlled Housing Organisations and communities to make sure they’re practical and work on the ground. The focus is on working together to shape something that reflects local needs, strengths, and aspirations.
Quality and Safety
Homes need to be safe, strong, and built to last. We’ve talked about the importance of good materials, designs that suit the climate, and ensuring housing stays in good condition over time. By setting clear expectations together, we can work towards housing that supports health, stability, and community wellbeing.
Minimum Housing Standards
Informed by our conversations
During our consultations we gather to talk about what housing means beyond just meeting a standard. We reflected on how housing must be designed, delivered, and maintained in ways that truly support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities—not just as places to live, but as spaces that uphold kinship, cultural obligations, and long-term sustainability.
Across different jurisdictions, we recognised the varied policy and legislative landscapes that shape housing. While there is no single approach that works everywhere, what we know for certain is that housing must be community-led, grounded in respect, and shaped by the people who live in it. It is not just about building houses; it is about strengthening communities, honouring cultural ways of living, and ensuring that housing is designed to last.
The National Minimum Housing Standards Project will continue to be shaped by these conversations, with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander voices leading the way. The path forward is ours to walk together, ensuring that housing solutions truly meet the needs of our communities—now and for generations to come.
