Big Elders Meeting 2019

The third Big Elders meeting/gathering was held on the 26th of February 2019 at Burswood on Swan. This meeting was attended by 65 Elders who heard presentations from the Noongar Family Safety and Wellbeing Council, Noongar Mia Mia, and Shelter WA. The Elders endorsed the following:

1. Noongar Family Safety and Wellbeing Council:

• • That the Elders give in principle support for the establishment of the Noongar Family Safety and Wellbeing Council.
  • That the Elders Work with the Council to ensure the appropriate and effective Cultural Governance of the Council.

2. Noongar Mia Mia Recommendations:

• Noongar Mia Mia is recognised as the peak body for Noongar and Aboriginal people.
• That the Elders develop a Housing Standards Code of Conduct of what is expected for all tenants that occupy a Noongar Mia Mia property. This will be included as part of the conditions of the Residential Tenancy Agreement that all tenants sign when taking a Noongar Mia Mia property.
• That Noongar Mia Mia and the Elders meet quarterly or when practical to provide an update on the progress of housing matters as Identified.

3. The Next Steps from the Metropolitan Aboriginal Housing Forum

• Shelter WA in partnership with Telethon Kids Institute develop a working group with the Elders as a platform for an Aboriginal voice into Noongar housing policy and to develop an Aboriginal housing policy and framework to measure progress
• Shelter WA to discuss with Noongar Mia Mia, the development of a Noongar Community Housing Strategy to build on the value proposition of Noongar managed housing, to address the lack of safe, secure and culturally appropriate housing supply and to capitalise on new opportunities.
• Shelter WA to develop, in partnership with Noongar Mia Mia, other agencies as appropriate and the Department of Communities, new models for affordable home ownership schemes – i.e. rent to buy option with long term rental payments to become shared equity in ownership.
• Shelter WA to ensure Aboriginal people are central to the review of the Residential Tenancies Act 1987.
• Shelter WA in partnership with the Aboriginal community, increase advocacy for:

• • • The abolishment of the 3 strikes policy.
    • Aboriginal advocates to support people and liaise with the Department of Communities on housing issues.
    • The Department of Communities to simplify housing jargon.
    • The Department of Communities to undertake a cultural audit of current government housing policies and practice.
    • A review of the negative impact of employment outcomes on social housing eligibility and the development of affordable and secure housing transition options.
    • Policy to ensure that safe and stable housing and support is provided immediately for people being released from government institutions.