Aboriginal Housing Victoria

Big thanks to everyone who joined us yesterday afternoon for a fantastic launch of the final Parity edition for the year: "After The Voice: First Nations responses to homelessness". Thanks to Thane Garvey-Gannaway for a thought-provoking Welcome To Country. Then it was great to hear from our panellists Jason Tamplin from Ngwala Willumbong Aboriginal Corporation, Tim Cronin from Aboriginal Housing Victoria and Lived Experience Advocate Jason Russell about cultural healing, Aboriginal-led responses to homelessness, and what allyship looks like. And then a beautiful didge performance from Jason Russell to close out the day! Big thanks and congratulations to Guest Editor sarah brinkhege for bringing this incredible edition to life. And thanks to this edition's sponsors Uniting Vic.Tas, Homes Victoria and Informit for making it all possible. You can read two articles from this edition over on the CHP website right now! Victorian Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (VACCHO)'s Dr Jill Gallagher talks about restoring hope, and improving health and wellbeing: https://lnkd.in/gRgujfKd And Jason Russell discusses his journey to embrace his Aboriginal identity and "pull away the veil of politeness": https://lnkd.in/gx99WQHQ See you all in 2025 for another stimulating year of Parity!

The Aboriginal Housing Victoria (AHV) Board of Directors welcomed a special guest to their final meeting of 2024. The Hon. Harriet Shing MP, Minister for Housing, visited Narrandjeri House to discuss the Victorian Government’s ongoing commitment to supporting AHV in delivering safe, secure, and culturally appropriate housing for Aboriginal Victorians. Discussions also highlighted the government’s continued support for the implementation of Mana-na woorn-tyeen maar-takoort, the Victorian Aboriginal Housing and Homelessness Framework in 2025, as we work towards a future where every Aboriginal person has a home.

Mark it in your calendars 📅 Our next Statewide Treaty Gathering will be in Naarm, 28 Feb - 1 March 2025. We'll have a lot of updates to give about where things are at with the negotiation of the first Statewide Treaty and will be wanting your ideas and guidance for the next steps on the shared journey. Our strength is in our numbers, and that's why we're hosting this big mob event at the Melbourne Cricket Ground early next year. Keep these dates free and make sure you keep up to date ✊🏾 Details to come in the new year.

Don't miss this great forum to wrap up the year! Tim Cronin from Aboriginal Housing Victoria, Lived Experience Advocate Jason Russell, Jason Tamplin from VISHN & Ngwala Willumbong Aboriginal Corporation, and more discussing innovative responses to First Nations homelessness, and the unfinished business still left to be done. All this as we launch the final edition of Parity magazine for the year: "After the Voice: First Nations responses to homelessness". When: 1-2:30pm, Tuesday 17 December Where: Level 8, 1 Sackville Street, Collingwood How much: Free! Book now: https://lnkd.in/gRYrc2CE

Homelessness among First Peoples in Victoria is twice that of the national average and growing, National Indigenous Times reports. "These are not just numbers; they represent families, children, and Elders denied the fundamental right to a home." - Darren Smith, Chair Aboriginal Housing and Homelessness Forum (AHHF) and CEO Aboriginal Housing Victoria (AHV). Mr Smith says the new data, which shows homelessness among First Peoples in Victoria grew 8 per cent last year, paints a "stark picture" of systemic challenges. Earlier this year, the Yoorrook Justice Commission heard more than 1800 Aboriginal children in Victoria under the age of nine accessed specialist homeless services in the last financial year. The AHHF has put forward a new plan to reduce homelessness experienced by Aboriginal Victorians and is calling on all levels of government to implement it. Read the full story at: https://lnkd.in/ge4uG8Yh #SharedTruths #FirstPeoples #SharedFuture #TruthTelling #Homelessness

AHV's annual Christmas Appeal has wrapped up for another year! Thanks to the generous donations from our incredible supporters, we provided hundreds of families with toys and hampers as a gift for the festive season. A special thank you to: Abbotsford Convent Aesop CleverPatch Crayola The Walt Disney Company Hardie Grant Publishing Koh Living Kraft Heinz Pinchapoo Australia Soulfresh Vocus We could not have done this without you! Wishing you all a safe and happy festive season, and we look forward to engaging and working with communities in 2025!❤💛🖤

This week, CEO Darren Smith, Chair of the Aboriginal Housing and Homelessness Forum, traveled to Parliament House in Canberra with a delegation of Victorian First Nations leaders to discuss the future of housing and Treaty, following the commencement of negotiations in Victoria. Pictured here with Deputy Prime Minister Hon. Richard Marles MP, First People’s Assembly of Victoria Co-Chair Rueben Berg, VAEAI’s Vice President Mark Rose, and VALS CEO, Nerita Waight.   We had the audience of many MPs across the day to advocate for Aboriginal housing outcomes and the importance of Commonwealth housing interventions. This included meeting with Housing Minister Hon. Claire O’Neill MP, to discuss the Housing Australia Future Fund (HAFF) and Rent-to-Buy supports, and how we can make these work for Aboriginal communities.   We would also like to acknowledge Senator Jana Stewart for her tireless commitment to improving housing outcomes for Mob. These partnerships are vital as we work towards housing justice and Treaty outcomes that empower Aboriginal people.

As we approach the holiday season, our Melbourne Vocus team have come together to spread some festive cheer and contribute a variety of toys to support Aboriginal Housing Victoria's Annual Christmas Toy Appeal. By supporting this initiative, we hope to make Christmas a little brighter for some Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, and to make a difference for our local communities. 🎁✨ #oneteam #communitysupport #ChristmasSpirit #HolidaySeason

Looking to spread the cheer this Christmas and support families in need? 🎄🎁💝 At Aboriginal Housing Victoria we have officially launched our annual Christmas Toy Appeal where we will be providing gifts to hundreds of our renters’ children across the state, thanks to our community’s support. There are several ways to support the Appeal: ✨ Dropping off brand new (unwrapped) toys to AHV offices in North Fitzroy during office hours, Monday to Friday, 8.30am to 4.30pm until Friday 8 November 2024 ✨ Make a monetary donation through Give Easy. ✨ Email community@ahvic.org.au to discuss a corporate donation or to volunteer. ✨Buy a new toy through Simply Giving. For more information visit https://lnkd.in/gHx9rqXE

Dylan, a proud Yuin man, bought his home through the Victorian Homebuyer Fund (VHF) two years ago. Visit the Aboriginal Home Ownership Hub today to watch more of Dylan's home ownership story and learn about steps, schemes and supports to get you in your own home sooner. https://lnkd.in/gQ8vqr7b