On September 21 the Redfern Waterloo Alliance of Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations and Allies launched its campaign to seek government action and targets for Aboriginal affordable housing in the Redfern Waterloo area.
The campaign calls on the NSW government to deliver: (1) 10 per cent Aboriginal affordable housing in all government redevelopments in the area; (2) an increase in Aboriginal social housing, ensuring that any community housing provider must either be Aboriginal Community Controlled and managed or work in partnership with an Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisation; and (3) Aboriginal jobs and ongoing employment, including targets for Aboriginal employment and contracts for construction and Aboriginal employment in the provision of ongoing services in all government redevelopments in the area.
“The Aboriginal Medical Service Redfern considers housing a major component toward improving better health outcomes for Aboriginal people in our community,” said LaVerne Bellear, CEO Aboriginal Medical Service Cooperative Limited. “We’ve been here for 50 years come 2021, and although a lot has changed in our service delivery, the two reasons we were established were equitable and affordable health service provision and discrimination. Both of those issues are still alive and well.”
“This is an opportunity to show a commitment to the Aboriginal community remaining in the area that is famous for Aboriginal people, and where our rights movement commenced and is based,” said Nathan Moran, CEO of Metropolitan Local Aboriginal Land Council.
“Redfern and Waterloo is where many came to find out who their families were and to try to find their way home. For Stolen Generations survivors this became their home. They raised their families here and are now helping raise their grannies and great grannies here. This is their only home. Moving them out because they can no longer afford to live here is too painful to even consider. They were forcibly removed as children, separated from their families and communities. Don’t do this to them again,” said Tiffany McComsey, CEO of Kinchela Boys Home Aboriginal Corporation.
Other speakers at the online launch included Siobhán Bryson, CEO Weave Youth & Community Services, Tanya Plibersek MP, Jenny Leong MP, and David Harris MP and Shadow Minister for Aboriginal Affairs and Treaty.
The alliance currently includes 27 local organisations, and welcomes new members and campaign supporters. For more information email Warren Roberts: warrenjroberts@gmail.com. Sign the petition: https://bit.ly/33iwihI
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www.aboriginalaffordablehousingcampaign.com
