Public housing to encourage indigenous employment: Roberts

Housing Minister Michelle Roberts has launched a new public housing initiative aimed at promoting employment and home ownership opportunities in the Pilbara and Kimberley.

The new policy will encourage indigenous public housing tenants to find jobs. Tenants will have the opportunity to stay in their homes and not be penalised for working.

"Under the new housing initiative, tenants can stay in public housing for up to two years and will be given advice and support on how to buy or build a home within that time," she said.

"They will also be given the same amount of time to find private rental accommodation."

The public housing initiative follows the signing last month of the East Kimberley regional partnership agreement, which aims at creating new jobs for indigenous people.

The five-year program, supported by industry, provides training and job opportunities for indigenous people to ensure they develop or build on their skills so they can participate in Western Australia's mining boom.

"The program also ensures some of the wealth created by WA's extraordinary mining boom is channelled into real job opportunities," Mrs Roberts said.

The Minister said the challenge was to remove any barriers that stood in the way of members of the community embracing the exciting job opportunities on offer.

Mrs Roberts said a team from the Department of Housing and Works would ensure tenants received the necessary support to make the transition from living in public housing to renting or buying their own homes.

"In the past, income-ineligible tenants were required to move out within six months, which was a major disincentive to seeking employment, particularly in areas where housing is limited," she said.

"By being more flexible and providing a number of incentives, we will be giving more people - particularly indigenous public housing tenants - the opportunity to gain employment and improve their situation."

Part of the support will be a home ownership education and budgeting skills program, aimed at prospective homeowners in the north, run through Keystart. This will prepare the tenants for home ownership, and help them with the skills they need to deal with banks, savings plans, and financial records.

Supporting this initiative, the Minister said tenants would be able to buy homes made available under the South Hedland New Living Program.

"This new policy demonstrates the State Government's commitment to ensuring our public housing creates opportunities for our tenants to improve their situation, "
Mrs Roberts said.

Local MLAs Fred Riebeling, Tom Stephens and Carol Martin welcomed the new housing initiative.

"This new approach will open up employment opportunities for local residents, for the benefit of the community," Mr Riebeling said.