Community

ACHL’s mission is for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people throughout Australia to have access to housing that is safe, affordable, appropriate and supportive of health and wellbeing. Through facilitating effective partnerships and relationships, ACHL will support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities to develop, build, manage, operate and own well designed and maintained housing solutions. In general the work undertaken by ACHL is with communities that require resources to build operational stability and strengthen governance, and support for self-determination and cultural integrity. These are the pre-conditions that ACHL sees for economic development initiatives to be successful.

ACHL recognises that safe, affordable, suitable, quality housing delivers essential stability for individuals, as well as a vital income stream for many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisations. Most research and commentary consistently identifies access to appropriate and affordable housing as an urgent priority and a key determinant in enabling people to participate in other areas of their lives and contribute to cohesive communities. Using housing management as a foundation, ACHL will seek to:

  • Effectively and appropriately manage sustainable housing programs and improve their efficiency
  • Strengthen governance arrangements and frameworks in a way which reflects place and the individual culture of the community
  • Provide operational stability to existing community based organisations
  • Support and train local leaders to champion initiatives and business enterprises
  • Facilitate networks and partnerships to allow the creation of self-determined community and economic development initiatives
  • Provide business development and feasibility advice and resources to develop initiatives into investment ready projects – projects could include social enterprises, community based housing development and maintenance programs, land resource management, tourism or infrastructure projects
  • Provide training, employment and self-employment opportunities
  • Create the conditions for effective capital investment and government funding to communities

Community Projects

The Elders Village

ACHL, is thrilled to be involved in the delivery of a purpose-built Aboriginal Elders Village announced on the 30th January 2024 that will offer ‘ageing in place’ for many Aboriginal Elders living in Adelaide.

This $12.17 million project is a collaborative effort between ACHL, Housing Australia, the South Australian Housing Authority, the Indigenous Land and Sea Corporation (ILSC), and the Kaurna Yerta Aboriginal Corporation (KYAC).

ACHL will oversee construction and provide tenancy management services upon the completion of the Village, which is set to comprise 40 modern and culturally appropriate homes for the Aboriginal Elders.

For more information, read our news release and media articles here.

Guda Guda Community Hub

A community hub funded by Lotterywest, East Kimberley Job Pathways (EKJP), and the Foundation for Rural and Regional Renewal (FRRR) and delivered by the CHL Group. The project has allowed the community to rent the space for board meetings and as an office space, which has generated an income for the Nine Mile Aboriginal Corporation, who represent the needs of people at Guda Guda.

In addition, a half basketball court and fenced playground were erected in December 2018 in Guda Guda. WELA, the Early Year’s program has been using the playground and five community members have been participating in basketball coaching training. The basketball court has been used for social events in community, including discos and celebrations such as New Year’s Eve.

Yawuru Cultural Exchange

ACHL partnered with Nyamba Buru Yawuru (NBY) on a cultural exchange hosted by Te Puna Wanaka, Ara Polytechnic in Christchurch, New Zealand.

The seven day exchange brought together ambassadors from NBY and Culture is Life to connect with Māori drawing parallels between their experiences as indigenous peoples.

Frog Hollow Early Learning Centre

A crowdfunding campaign that raised funds to build an Early Learning Centre in Frog Hollow raised $100,000 in donations, with the build to begin later in 2019.