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Housing Stock: Housing conditions of Indigenous people
Where Indigenous people live In 1994, there were estimated to be 303,000 Indigenous people in Australia. More than half of them lived in either New South Wales (27%) or Queensland (26%). Of the total Indigenous population, 43% lived in other urban areas, 30% lived in rural areas and 27% lived in capital cities. Geographic location can influence housing conditions. For example, there is generally more choice of housing in urban areas than in rural areas. The geographic distribution of Indigenous people varies in each state. In 1994, 55% of Indigenous people in New South Wales lived in other urban areas and 13% lived in rural areas. In comparison, 27% of Indigenous people in the Northern Territory lived in other urban areas and 59% lived in rural areas. WHERE INDIGENOUS PEOPLE LIVED, 1994
Source: National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Survey, 1994 (unpublished data) Type of dwelling In 1994, 86% of dwellings occupied by Indigenous households were separate houses compared to 79% of all Australian dwellings3. The type of dwelling varied according to geographic location. 84% of dwellings occupied by Indigenous households in capital cities were separate houses compared to 88% in rural areas. Capital cities had the highest proportions of semi-detached, row or terrace houses, or townhouses (6%) and flats, units or apartments (8%) occupied by Indigenous households. This partly reflects the availability of this type of accommodation in these areas. Other dwellings, which include caravans, shacks and improvised accommodation, were most common in rural areas (9%). TYPE OF DWELLING OCCUPIED BY INDIGENOUS HOUSEHOLDS, 1994
(b) Includes type of dwelling not stated. Source: National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Survey, 1994 (unpublished data) Nature of occupancy Indigenous households are much more likely to be renters than owners or purchasers. In 1994, 70% of Indigenous households lived in rented dwellings compared to 13% in dwellings that were owned and 13% that were being purchased by a household member. In comparison 28% of all households in Australia lived in rented dwellings, 42% lived in dwellings owned by a household member and 28% in dwellings being purchased by a household member3. Indigenous people living in rented dwellings were part of larger households than those living in dwellings that were either owned or being purchased. While 70% of the dwellings occupied by Indigenous households were rented, 75% of Indigenous people lived in them. Of Indigenous people living in rented dwellings, 23% lived in dwellings which had eight or more other residents compared to 7% of those living in dwellings that were owned and 4% of those living in dwellings that were being purchased. The ability to purchase a home is closely related to income. In 1994, 60% of Indigenous households had an annual gross income of $40,000 or less, and 20% had under $16,000. This compares to 65% and 25% respectively for all Australian households (see Income of Indigenous people). NATURE OF OCCUPANCY OF INDIGENOUS HOUSEHOLDS, 1994
(b) Includes nature of occupancy not stated. Source: National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Survey, 1994 (unpublished data) Dwelling characteristics The quality of housing can affect the health of the occupants. The absence of running water, toilets and bathing facilities can lead to an increased incidence of disease among dwelling occupants4. In 1994, almost all dwellings occupied by Indigenous households in capital cities and other urban areas had electricity and/or gas connected, toilet, running water and bathroom/shower facilities. Dwellings in rural areas were less likely than those in capital cities or other urban areas to have these facilities. 8% of rural dwellings did not have electricity and/or gas connected, 8% did not have running water, 9% did not have a toilet and 11% did not have a bathroom/shower. Overcrowding is an important issue affecting the housing conditions of Indigenous people1. In 1994, 20% of Indigenous people lived in the 8% of dwellings which had eight or more residents. In comparison, less than 1% of the total Australian population lived in households of eight or more people5. Large Indigenous households were most common in rural areas where 38% of Indigenous people lived in the 17% of dwellings which had eight or more residents. In comparison, in capital cities 8% of Indigenous people lived in the 3% of dwellings which had eight or more residents, and in other urban areas 17% of Indigenous people lived in the 6% of dwellings which had eight or more residents. There are many reasons why Indigenous people live in larger households. For example, it is not uncommon for Indigenous people to live with their extended families. In 1994, 8% of Indigenous households were multi-family households compared to less than 1% of all Australian households5. SELECTED CHARACTERISTICS OF DWELLINGS OF INDIGENOUS HOUSEHOLDS(a), 1994
Source: National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Survey, 1994: Detailed findings (cat. no. 4190.0 and unpublished data) Problems with dwellings In 1994, 12% of all dwellings occupied by Indigenous households were in need of repair. 11% of dwellings did not have enough bedrooms and 10% did not have enough living area. Additionally, 6% of dwellings had inadequate bathing facilities and 6% did not have sufficient insulation or ventilation. PROBLEMS WITH DWELLINGS(a) REPORTED BY INDIGENOUS HOUSEHOLDS NOT SATISFIED WITH THEIR DWELLING, 1994 (a) More than one problem may have been reported.Source: National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Survey, 1994: Detailed findings (cat. no. 4190.0). Rental housing In 1994, 78% of all dwellings occupied by Indigenous households in other urban areas were rented, compared to 64% in both capital cities and rural areas. 43% of rented dwellings occupied by Indigenous households were state housing, 26% were privately owned and 21% were community owned. The type of landlord varies with geographic location. State housing was the main source of rental housing in capital cities (47%) and other urban areas (54%). This was followed by private landlords, who provided 42% of rented dwellings in capital cities and 21% in other urban areas. In rural areas, the majority of rented accommodation was provided by community organisations (58%). People's satisfaction with their homes is linked to their expectations and to the problems they have experienced. In 1994, the household reference person of 76% of Indigenous households stated that the dwelling they lived in satisfied the occupants' needs. The highest level of dissatisfaction (38%) was experienced by those renting from community organisations. Tenants in privately rented dwellings were least likely to be dissatisfied (14%). 31% of renters in rural areas were dissatisfied with their dwellings compared to 24% in capital cities and 22% in other urban areas. This reflects the fact that community organisations provide much of the housing in rural areas and there is a high level of dissatisfaction with dwellings rented from this type of landlord. Additionally, the limited choice of housing in rural areas means that those who are dissatisfied with their dwelling may not be able to find alternative housing that better satisfies their needs2. DWELLINGS RENTED BY INDIGENOUS HOUSEHOLDS, 1994
Source: National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Survey, 1994 (unpublished data) PROPORTION OF INDIGENOUS RENTER HOUSEHOLDS DISSATISFIED WITH DWELLINGS(a), 1994
Source: National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Survey, 1994 (unpublished data) Endnotes 1 Jones, R (1994) The housing need of Indigenous Australians, 1991 Centre for Aboriginal Economic Policy Research ANU, Research Monograph No 8. 2 The National Housing Strategy (1991) Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Housing: discussion package. 3 Australian Housing Survey, 1994 (4181.0). 4 Pholeros, P. et al. (1993) Housing for Health - Towards a Healthy Living Environment for Aboriginal Australia Health Habitat. 5 Australian Housing Survey, 1994 (unpublished data).
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