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) have been established in each community to ensure people have input into decisions about housing in their community.

What is the role of Housing Reference Groups?

Housing Reference Groups provide advice to government on cultural and family-related matters that affect decisions about housing in the community. This can include: 

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

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

Does each community have its own Housing Reference Group?

Yes, each community has its own Housing Reference Group. Government will work with each community to establish the group. In some areas, clusters of smaller communities have chosen to have a joint Housing Reference Group while in other larger communities multiple groups exist.

Who is on a Housing Reference Group?

Housing Reference Groups consist of community representatives with different interests and are drawn from: 

• special interest groups, such as people who work with youth or in aged care
• people with 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.

Download a PDF version of this information - Housing Reference Groups fact sheet  53 KB