Remote Indigenous communities are currently experiencing significant delays in urgent housing maintenance services. A First Nations mother has voiced her concerns regarding the limited availability of suitable housing for expanding families in her rural locality, resulting in overcrowded living conditions.
The Mid Lachlan Aboriginal Housing Management Cooperative (MLAHMC) has acknowledged these delays and has recently approved necessary repair work. In a home located in the outback town of Wilcannia, approximately 1,000 kilometers northwest of Sydney, Leetisha Jones is raising her young family amidst challenging circumstances. The living room of her residence is primarily occupied by five mattresses due to unsatisfactory conditions in the bedrooms.
Ms. Jones, who rents her home through MLAHMC, reported that mould had rendered one of the bedrooms uninhabitable, forcing five family members to sleep in the living room. In addition to the mould issue, she expressed concern for her family’s safety because the front door has been malfunctioning for several months. “It’s not really safe; I don’t feel safe,” she remarked.
Despite bringing her issues to the attention of MLAHMC, Ms. Jones has found the response to be slow. Living in a three-bedroom house with eight family members has become increasingly challenging. “It breaks us that we have to live like this and they don’t care,” she stated. “If we just had a decent home to live in, we’d be happier.”
Ms. Jones has resided in the house since 2007. While it was manageable when her children were younger, the lack of privacy and stability has become more difficult over time. “I’ve never had my own room,” she lamented, noting that the overcrowding has occasionally hindered her children’s ability to study. “Over the years they haven’t been able to study in their own rooms … it breaks me,” she added.
Charlie Trindall, the acting general manager of MLAHMC, confirmed that there had been delays in addressing maintenance issues at the Jones family’s residence. He explained that factors such as contractor availability and logistical challenges in remote areas can affect repair timelines. However, he assured that works to resolve water damage and mould issues have been authorized, including the replacement of ceiling materials. Trindall stated that the organization is actively working with contractors to ensure repairs are completed as swiftly as possible.
Following inquiries from ABC, Ms. Jones reported that maintenance work has now been finalized. MLAHMC is recognized as the largest Aboriginal housing management organization in New South Wales, overseeing around 800 properties across the state.
Additionally, Ms. Jones mentioned that the Department of Community and Justice had informed her that there were no housing options available in Wilcannia, advising her to relocate. “I’m not ready to leave yet. We’ve always lived here. This is home,” she asserted. Mr. Trindall emphasized that MLAHMC does not endorse relocations that disregard cultural ties to the community.
Wilcannia faces persistent housing supply challenges, which contribute to overcrowding and heightened demand for housing and maintenance services. “MLAHMC continues to collaborate with partners to tackle these issues while addressing the immediate needs of tenants,” he noted.
Brenda Riley, Ms. Jones’s mother, resides next door and has taken in some of her grandchildren to alleviate overcrowding. She commented, “Overcrowding is in every house … it’s a big issue,” expressing her frustration over the situation. Riley also highlighted her dissatisfaction with her own living conditions, citing repeated sewage leaks as a significant health hazard.
The New South Wales Government’s data reveals that over 54,000 applicants are currently awaiting social housing, with more than 11,000 classified as priority cases. In Wilcannia, there are 14 individuals on the general waitlist and 13 classified as priority placements, with expected wait times for two-bedroom properties ranging from five to ten years and three or four-bedroom homes taking between two and five years.
Professor Paul Memmott, an expert in anthropology and architecture from the University of Queensland who has dedicated decades to the study of Indigenous housing, noted that maintenance and overcrowding issues are widespread in remote areas, including parts of western Queensland, northern Western Australia, and the Northern Territory. “The more remote you are, the less attention you get from governments,” he explained, emphasizing how this significantly reduces political influence.
He remarked that a concerted effort to provide housing for Aboriginal communities began only with the Whitlam government in the early 1970s, and the backlog of housing needs has never been adequately addressed. “There are still many individuals living in crowded conditions in remote areas,” he stated, criticizing the government’s failure to meet the needs of these communities.
“It’s a significant problem that doesn’t simply disappear,” he concluded, highlighting that while some local Aboriginal organizations are proactive, they often lack the necessary government funding to tackle these pressing issues effectively.
