Up next
Author
Share this @internewscast.com
FacebookXRedditPinterest
The leader of Australia’s most rapidly expanding Aboriginal housing provider suggests that the current living cost challenges could offer First Nations communities a chance to tackle persistent issues.

Paul Coe, a Wiradjuri man and CEO of Birribee Housing, shared with NITV’s The Point that problems such as housing affordability and rising expenses are affecting Australians across various demographics.

Thumbnail of We Put The Blak In Blacktown

We Put The Blak In Blacktown

“When you look at current issues around cost of living … things that have been a concern for Aboriginal communities for years, society’s now joined them in this space,” he said.
“Society is now saying this is an election issue, which makes it a sweet spot for Aboriginal people to push and push for these outcomes as best they can.”

Founded by the NSW Aboriginal Land Council in 2019, Birribee Housing oversees numerous properties across the state and is involved in significant projects like the Tolland Estate renewal in Wagga Wagga.
In Blacktown, home to the country’s largest urban Indigenous population, Birribee manages more than 120 properties and operates an Aboriginal homelessness service in the region.
“It’s often a sum loss game,” said Coe.
“There’s more money going out than coming in, and it’s difficult, particularly in the Aboriginal housing space when the stock in Western Sydney [is] quite aged.

“They’re barely standing up. Old cottages that are cold, that are hot, and somehow society accepts that.”

Mr Coe said that a broader approach was needed to go beyond the current closing the gap focus on reducing overcrowding.
“We know that homelessness is probably more often than not an outcome of a former institution,” he said.
“You’ve been in out-of-home care, you’ve been in jail, you’ve been in mental health, or there’s been some other institutional effects on you.
“Your pathway to that hasn’t been shaped by yourself or your family…. Aboriginal families lean into their family a lot for support, and so we hide that homelessness to a large degree.

“However, that concealment … results in its financial strains in households, along with deterioration, and puts pressure on schools and other aspects.”

With around 60,000 people waitlisted for public housing across NSW, the need for new dwellings is critical.
However Dharug Elder Uncle Chris Tobin said that growth shouldn’t come at the expense of Country.
“This is the hard part for particularly TOs, or traditional custodians looking after their ancestral Country. We’ve still got that job,” he explained.
“We’ve got to keep looking at ways to rescue our Country and it’s just so hard to do with this model of development that just wants more and more and more and which doesn’t add to anyone’s quality of life.
“Sadly, I think it’s all about dollars and I think the health of the Country will take us in a direction that will be good for us …

“When the Country’s healthy, we’ll be healthy.”
Paul Coe agreed that communities should use the increased political focus on housing solutions to advocate for the ongoing inclusion of culture and respect for the health of the land.
“They do become a real tangible election issue as we’ve seen through Labor and the push federally around housing,” he said.
“The difficulty you have is around this lack of bipartisan approach on the key issues around housing. A four or three year cycle is never going to solve something so critical to that.
“The development opportunity, or how we go through that, is to, one, make sure that we have housing, and that we curate our land as much as possible and that has to take some time to work through and a sustained effort and focus from people.”

The Point airs Tuesdays 7.30 on NITV, and is available after the broadcast on SBS On Demand.

Share this @internewscast.com
FacebookXRedditPinterest
You May Also Like
Retired couple lose luxury apartment due to developer's sunrise clause

Retired Couple Forced Out of Luxury Apartment as Developer Activates Controversial Sunrise Clause

A retired couple from Queensland found themselves in a difficult situation just…
WA Police have released eerie images of graffiti believed to be linked to the 14-year-old disappearance and suspected murder of 66-year-old Charlie Park. 

Chilling Graffiti Unveils New Clues in Unsolved Cold Case Disappearance and Suspected Murder

Western Australia Police have unveiled haunting photographs of graffiti, which they suspect…
Le Constellation bar in Crans-Montana, Swiss Alps, Switzerland

Deadly Fire at Swiss Bar Reveals Five-Year Inspection Lapse

Investigators are examining if the ceiling’s soundproofing materials met safety standards and…
Danish PM says US takeover of Greenland would be the end of NATO

Danish PM Warns: US Acquisition of Greenland Could Spell Doom for NATO Alliance

The unexpected capture of Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro and his wife by…
Frankincense and bottle trees grow on the Yemeni island of Socotra on Sept. 21, 2024. (AP Photo/Annika Hammerschlag)

Aussie Tourists Stranded on Isolated Desert Island: A Rescue Mission in Motion

The Australian government is stepping in to assist its citizens who have…

Melbourne Arson Attack: Police Probe Potential Antisemitism Motive in Recent Arrest

A 47-year-old man has been detained and is currently waiting to be…
Greenland is home to just over 56,000 residents.

Unveiling Trump’s Greenland Ambitions: The Real Story Behind the Controversial Proposal

When US forces struck the Venezuelan capital and ousted the country’s president…
US President Donald Trump

Trump’s Assertions on Managing Venezuela Spark Questions Following Congressional Briefing

Against a backdrop of broad but vague assertions by US President Donald…
AI dominates as Australia's fastest-growing jobs revealed

AI Careers Surge: Australia’s Fastest-Growing Job Sector Unveiled

The position of AI engineer has seen the most significant growth over…
NSW Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon has chosen to extend the state terrorism declaration to ban protests following the attack at Bondi Beach.

NSW Police Commissioner Clarifies Intent Behind Extended Protest Ban: ‘This Isn’t About Curbing Free Speech

In response to heightened security concerns following last month’s terror incident at…
'Serious questions' over Melbourne sinkhole, tunnelling expert says

Melbourne Sinkhole Sparks Concerns: Tunnelling Expert Raises Alarming Questions

The Melbourne sinkhole that opened up near a major tunnelling project poses…

Sydney Streets Off-Limits to Protesters: New Two-Week Ban Sparks Debate

NSW Police commissioner Mal Lanyon announced his decision on Tuesday evening, claiming…