Canberra’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander elders are to have access to more safe and secure housing, with the opening of the city’s third Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander older persons’ housing project.
Announcing the opening of Ningulangu in Dickson, Minister for Housing and Suburban Development, Yvette Berry said the project followed Gundji Gindilan in Lyons and Mura Gunya in Kambah to deliver a total of 15 homes across the ACT.
Ms Berry said Housing ACT worked closely with the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Elected Body to identify the site in Dickson and ensure it was suitable for the development of safe, affordable and culturally-appropriate housing.
“Government is committed to building more and better public housing, because everyone deserves a safe and secure place to call home,” she said.
“It’s been great to see the collaboration between the ACT Government and the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Elected Body to design a culturally-appropriate development that meets the needs of tenants.
“The use of local native plants, and the inclusion of a secure and private outdoor area in each dwelling, offers residents a strong connection to the landscape.”
Ms Berry said Ningulangu, which meant ‘belonging to: home, place’, was located close to shops, public transport, health services and community facilities and “residents will be able to maintain an active and independent lifestyle in these homes”.
The Minister said the five, two-bedroom, single-storey homes, with a minimum six-star energy-efficiency rating, would provide future tenants with flexibility for a range of changing household needs, including ageing in place.
