Housing Reference Groups

Housing Reference Groups

The Australian and Northern Territory Governments are working together to deliver an improved housing system so that people in remote communities can live in safer, healthier homes.

Housing Reference Groups (HRGs) are being established in each community to work with government and ensure local communities have input to decisions about housing in their community.

What is the role of the Housing Reference Group?

HRGs provide advice to government on cultural and family-related matters that can impact on decisions about housing and infrastructure in the community. This can include: 

• local community concerns and aspirations relating to housing; 
• job and training opportunities generated through housing construction and maintenance; and
• long-term planning and housing requirements.

Government will work with the HRGs to ensure that housing decisions are fair and housing is provided to those families in the community that are most in need.

Government staff will facilitate HRG meetings. They will also record advice, information and recommendations provided by the group and provide other support as needed.

Will each community have its own Housing Reference Group?

Yes, each community will have its own HRG. Government will work with each community to establish the group. In some instances, clusters of smaller communities have chosen to have a joint Housing Reference Group.

Who is on a Housing Reference Group?

HRGs are made up of people from each community and should include people from the community with different interests, such as:

• Traditional land owners; and
• Community people from different cultural and family groups.

The group can also include individuals and organisations working in the community who are able to provide expert advice or assistance to the group. This could include special interest groups or people who work with youth and aged care, for example.

Housing Reference Group Fact Sheet (53 Kb pdf)