An Act to constitute the Aboriginal Housing Office; to confer functions on the Aboriginal Housing Office relating to housing assistance for Aboriginal people and Torres Strait Islanders and for other purposes; to amend certain Acts; and for other purposes.
This Act is the Aboriginal Housing Act 1998.
This Act commences on a day or days to be appointed by proclamation.
The objects of this Act are as follows—
(a) to ensure that Aboriginal people and Torres Strait Islanders have access to affordable and quality housing,
(b) to ensure that such housing is appropriate having regard to the social and cultural requirements, living patterns and preferences of the Aboriginal people or Torres Strait Islanders to whom the housing is to be provided,
(c) to enhance the role of Aboriginal people and Torres Strait Islanders in determining, developing and delivering policies and programs relating to Aboriginal housing,
(d) to ensure that priority is given, in providing housing assistance for Aboriginal people and Torres Strait Islanders, to those individuals who are most in need,
(d1) to ensure that the available supply of housing under this Act is shared equitably among Aboriginal people and Torres Strait Islanders who are most in need,
(e) to increase the range of housing choices for Aboriginal people and Torres Strait Islanders so as to reflect the diversity of individual and community needs,
(f) to ensure that registered Aboriginal housing organisations are accountable, effective and skilled in the delivery of Aboriginal housing programs and services,
(g) to ensure that the Aboriginal Housing Office’s housing programs and services are administered efficiently and in co-ordination with other programs and services that are provided to assist Aboriginal people and Torres Strait Islanders,
(h) to encourage the sustainable employment of Aboriginal people and Torres Strait Islanders in the delivery of Aboriginal housing assistance.
In this Act—
(a) is a member of the Aboriginal race of Australia, and
(b) identifies as an Aboriginal person, and
(c) is accepted by the Aboriginal community as an Aboriginal person,
and the expression