Built to Last? Lessons for Sustainable Development in the North from the National Partnership Agreement on Remote Indigenous Housing (NPARIH)
2017 32(4) Australian Environment Review 118
13 Pages Posted: 12 Feb 2018 Last revised: 14 May 2018
Date Written: February 20, 2017
Abstract
Household overcrowding in Indigenous communities is a long standing and serious problem. The adverse effects of overcrowding and poor housing conditions include – poorer health and more emotional stress for occupants; greater likelihood of anti-social behaviour; increased wear and tear on housing facilities and lower educational achievements for children. To address these issues head on, the Council of Australian Governments (COAG) signed, in 2008, a National Partnership Agreement on Remote Indigenous Housing (the NPARIH). The NPARIH was a ten year program designed to address overcrowding, homelessness, poor housing conditions and severe housing shortages in remote Indigenous communities. This article briefly reviews the achievements, failings and lessons learned during the life of this program. It argues insights from this program offer valuable lessons for anyone seeking to innovate or invest in the economy, environment or communities of the North and it highlights some lessons that may be of particular relevance for environmental lawyers with an interest in the North.
Keywords: Public housing, indigenous issues, sustainable development
JEL Classification: K32
Suggested Citation: Suggested Citation