Indigenous leaders welcome custom-designed public housing units

The ACT government has taken a new approach, working closely with the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Elected Body on custom-designed buildings to suit the needs of older Indigenous people.

The $1.08 million project, still awaiting development approval, includes plans for five spacious two-bedroom independent living units on a 2232-square-metre block on Jenke Circuit, Kambah.

Each unit has 92 square metres of indoor living space, which extends onto 40 square metres of private outdoor area.

The adaptable, energy-efficient dwellings will be in a cluster and surrounded by an extensive landscaped outdoor common area with a fire pit, stone seating and all-weather cover.

The chairman of the ACT Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Elected Body, Rod Little, was very supportive of the ACT government's move.

He said the site was well-suited being close to local medical and community facilities and the central shared outdoor area would reduce levels of social isolation by providing space for community and family gatherings.

"Being locked up in the apartment-style buildings might be OK for the younger generation but for the older ones this style gives them reasonable space, independence and an opportunity, rather than being isolated, to connect with their families," he said.

"We wanted these to be long-lasting and efficient. From a cultural perspective we have always thought about that – how to enjoy our surroundings with our families."

The original vision in 2010 was for 10 units, but after years of planning Mr Little said he was pleased the idea was close to being realised.

"We still want to pursue 10," he said. "I think that if this design is as successful as we think it will be, it could be replicated for more Indigenous accommodation but also for the broader ageing population."

Minister for Housing Yvette Berry said there were "no plans for other projects like this one" but reaffirmed a commitment to increase suitable accommodation for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

Housing and Community Services executive director David Matthews said the planned construction cost was in line with similar projects.

It was the considered interplay between indoor and outdoor space and focus on catering for age and cultural values that made the design so distinctive, he said.

"There is nothing that makes these sorts of units broadly different in terms of their cost or size," he said.

The 'new approach' designs were intellectual property Mr Matthews said could be used to inform future housing stock rollouts in other locations.