ABORIGINAL AND TORRES STRAIT ISLANDER HOUSING

Although the physical conditions and amenities of most Australian dwellings are generally good, the condition of housing occupied by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, especially those in rural and remote areas, tends to be lower than that enjoyed by most other Australians. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are more likely to experience sub-standard housing facilities or overcrowded dwellings, issues that are of particular concern due to their association with poor outcomes in health, education, and child safety.

Standard of housing

In 2002, almost four in ten (38%) Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 15 years or over lived in houses with major structural problems. By 2008, this had fallen to 28%, although for Indigenous people living in remote areas, the rate was higher (39%). Structural problems include major cracks in walls or floors, major plumbing problems, and wood rot or termite damage.

Poorer housing conditions, particularly in remote areas, are often related to higher maintenance requirements associated with harsher environmental conditions, higher building and maintenance costs due to access and distance related issues, and the pressure on housing facilities associated with overcrowding.

In 2008, 83% of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander households were living in houses of an acceptable standard. An acceptable standard is defined as a dwelling with four working facilities (for washing people, for washing clothes/bedding, for storing/preparing food, and sewerage) and with not more than two major structural problems. However, for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people living in non-capital city areas of the Northern Territory, just under two thirds (65%) lived in housing of an acceptable standard.

Overcrowding

Overcrowding is an issue of social concern as it can place stress on the inhabitants by reducing privacy and opportunities for study or other private activities. Furthermore, it can place stress on bathroom, kitchen and laundry facilities as well as on sewerage systems (Howden-Chapman & Wilson, 2000). Overcrowding has been associated with poorer self-reported physical and mental health, and higher rates of smoking and hazardous drinking (Waters, 2001; Shaw, 2004).

In 2008, one-quarter (25%) of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 15 years and over lived in a dwelling where one or more additional bedrooms was required to appropriately house the inhabitants. Moreover, almost one in two Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people living in remote areas lived in overcrowded dwellings (48%).

Almost one-third of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children aged 14 years or younger lived in overcrowded dwellings (31% of children 0-3 years and 32% of children 4-14 years) (ABS 2009c).

Tenure Type

Compared with the non-Indigenous population, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are much less likely to live in a dwelling owned by a resident of the dwelling (whether owned outright or with a mortgage). In 2008, 29% of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 15 years and over lived in a home owned by one or more of its residents compared with 72% of non-Indigenous people.

Just 10% of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 15 years and over living in remote areas lived in a dwelling that was owned by a resident, compared to 38% of those living in the major cities (ABS 2009c). Lower levels of home ownership in remote areas reflect, among other things, the provision of housing by Indigenous Community Housing Organisations on traditional Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander lands.