NSW Aboriginal Housing Office

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Established in 1998, the NSW Aboriginal Housing Office has four main priorities - to develop a viable Aboriginal housing sector, increase focus on asset management, increase access to safe, affordable and culturally appropriate housing and promote employment opportunities for Aboriginal people within the sector.

Announcements

::: AHO 2010 Registration

The New South Wales Aboriginal Housing Office (AHO) is now calling for Registration of Aboriginal Community Housing Providers (ACHPs) in New South Wales for 2010. Registration opens on 13 July and closes on 30 September 2009. All ACHPs are encouraged to apply or renew their registration. Registration with the AHO allows ACHPs to:

Be considered as a social housing registered organisation when dealing with the Consumer, Trader and Tenancy Tribunal (CTTT)
Be considered for assistance with costs to attend AHO activities
Receive an annual AHO Registration Certificate

Organisations that are currently registered with the AHO, or that have previously registered and provided updated contact details, will soon receive a registration package.

For more information see the Registration Flyer or call the AHO office in your area.

Sydney/South Easter Region	02 8836 9487
Northern Region	02 6691 9100 / 02 6766 6045
Western Region	02 6882 8700 / 03 5027 3222

::: AHO 2009-10 Budget

As part of the NSW 2009-10 Budget announced by the Treasurer on Tuesday 16 June 2009 the AHO 2009-10 Budget was also announced. Click here to read the AHO Budget commentary.

::: Commonwealth Rent Assistance

The Aboriginal Housing Office (AHO) is making changes to the way rent is assessed for tenants in AHO properties managed by Housing NSW. Rents will be calculated on the basis that all eligible household members are receiving their full Commonwealth Rent Assistance (CRA). This will enable the AHO to access more government funding to improve homes and housing services for Aboriginal people across NSW.

This change will be part of the rent subsidy review process, which will start in mid-April 2009. AHO tenants will be notified of their new CRA-based rents from mid-May 2009, with those rents taking effect on 6 July. CRA community forums will be held in 10 different locations throughout NSW. For further information, please click here for details on the forums and the subsidised rent policy changes for AHO households.

::: Terms of Reference

The AHO Board has approved Terms of Reference that are to apply to Regional Aboriginal Housing Committees (RAHCs).

There are three RAHCs that support the Board’s goal by, enabling planning to draw on local knowledge, monitoring program delivery, providing an effective means for reporting to local communities, linking with other relevant agencies and identifying differing needs between and within regions.

Aboriginal community housing providers, Local Aboriginal Land Councils, other social housing organisations and their affiliates together with Aboriginal people who require social housing assistance are encouraged to read the Terms of Reference.

::: Directory

The Aboriginal Builders Directory is a convenient region-by-region listing. Add your details now.
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::: NSW Standards for Governance and Management of Aboriginal Housing

The AHO and the NSW Aboriginal housing sector achieved a national first in the development of governance and management standards specifically designed for the Aboriginal housing sector of NSW.

The standards establish the type and quality of services expected of an Aboriginal housing organisation, and are designed to be used in the Service Improvement System and one outcome of this system is Accreditation.
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Useful Links

::: Home Ownership

Would You Like to Buy Your Own Home?

The Aboriginal Housing Office (AHO) and Indigenous Business Australia (IBA) have a partnership to help AHO tenants buy the houses they are living in. This scheme is known as the IBA/AHO Home Purchase Scheme. Click here to access Fact Sheet and Forms:

    AHO Fact Sheet 2008
    AHO IBA EOI Form 2008
    HNSW Aboriginality Form
    IBA Homes Brochure

::: Management Information System

SIS (Sector Information System)
Enter and view Registration/EOI/MAF for your organisation. Click here to visit MIS.

::: Housing Aboriginal Communities Program

The Housing Aboriginal Communities Program has been finalised and updated. Please click on the HACP link to access the full revised policy.
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Good Reads

::: July 2009 Newsletter

The AHO July Newsletter contains a number of interesting stories of AHO's recent activities. It also contains comments from our Chair as well as our Acting Chief Executive Officer.

::: State Plan

Click here to navigate to the State Plan website

::: Indicative New South Wales Indigenous Population Projections 2006 to 2021 New

::: Annual Report

Our 2007/08 Annual Report is now available for download... More...

::: Financial Report

Our 2007/08 Financial Report is now available for download... More...

::: Housing Accord

Housing NSW and NSW Human Service Agencies, including the Aboriginal Housing Office (AHO), have developed an Accord to assist social housing clients with support needs, assist clients of human service agencies with housing needs and reduce social disadvantage in larger public housing estates. Further details on the Accord are available from the AHO's Policy and Strategic Development Branch Ph 8836 9427

::: Vision

What is the national policy direction in indigenous housing? Building a Better Future sets out where Australia is going. More...

Focus ON

::: Site Feedback

The AHO needs your input to build a better website. Please use the following link to email us your suggestions.
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