National Partnership for Remote Housing NT pledges almost $4bn for 2700 homes

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is in the Northern Territory to announce the landmark agreement promising to deliver thousands of new homes over the next decade.

The Prime Minister is in the NT as the federal and Northern Territory governments announce a landmark joint $4 billion dollar investment for housing in remote communities across the Northern Territory. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Martin Ollman

A landmark $4 billion investment for remote housing in the Northern Territory promises to deliver 2700 homes in Aboriginal communities over the next decade.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese will make the announcement on Tuesday during a visit to Binjari, a community near Katherine, promoting it as a practical measure to close the gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians.

The 10-year National Partnership for Remote Housing NT aims to halve overcrowding and includes support for repairs and maintenance, funded by federal and Northern Territory governments in an equal joint investment worth $3.8 billion.

A partnership agreement will be established between both levels of government, Aboriginal Land Councils, and the Territory’s peak First Nations housing body Aboriginal Housing NT to help direct the project.

Wesley Miler helping build new homes in NT Indigenous community Wadeye. Picture: Supplied.

“We are committed to practical actions that improve the lives of First Nations people,” Mr Albanese said.

“Today’s announcement will improve housing conditions in remote communities and help close the gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians.

“The Northern Territory has the highest level of overcrowding in the country which we are working to halve by building 270 houses each year.”

As of the last census, 54 per cent of Indigenous Territorians lived in overcrowded housing.

A 2022 Auditor-General’s report found an additional 1857 homes were needed in NT remote communities to address existing overcrowding, and a further 74 homes must be built each year to match population growth.

Remote Housing Minister Selena Uibo, pictured with a local Gapuwiyak resident, said she had seen first-hand the impacts of overcrowding. Picture: Supplied.

In addition to the $3.8 billion, the NT government’s existing $40 million annual investment in homelands housing and infrastructure will be matched by the Commonwealth for three years.

It builds on the Restoring Funding for NT Homelands agreement initiated last year with a federal spend of $100 million.

Aboriginal Housing NT – who will receive $1 million over two years under the new remote housing partnership – said the impact of the multi-billion dollar commitment “cannot be overstated”.

“This is not just an investment in housing – it is an investment in people,” chief executive Skye Thompson said.

Aboriginal Housing Northern Territory CEO Skye Thompson. Picture: Supplied.

“Let there be no doubt of the significance of this investment. It is the single most comprehensive investment package into the Northern Territory’s remote housing and homelands sector. Its impact cannot be overstated.

“This investment will help ensure Aboriginal Australians across the Northern Territory are able to live with dignity and pride, where their kids can grow safe, healthy and strong and truly look to their futures with real hope and optimism.”

Remote Housing and Homelands Minister Selena Uibo said the investment would go a long way to improve health, education, employment and social outcomes.

“As the local member for one of the Territory’s most remote electorates, I have seen first-hand the impact of better housing for those who were living in chronically overcrowded homes with 20 or more people in one dwelling,” she said.

Chief Minister Eva Lawler said the “game changer” announcement would “achieve unprecedented housing outcomes across the Territory”, providing new homes for more than 10,000 people.