About Us

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Housing Queensland (Housing Queensland) is the peak body for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander housing in Queensland. Established in 2021, we are more than a peak body. We are a leading Australian domestic think tank. A policy creator. An advisor. A strategist. A collaborator and partner. We are content experts on matters that impact Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander housing, accommodation and homelessness in Queensland.

Our members are made up of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community housing providers from across Queensland, but we advocate for the housing interests of all First Nations people in Queensland.

We support First Nations people’s right to housing, their right to speak for and manage their own housing, and to participate decision-making that relates to their housing.

What do we hope to achieve?

We want to eliminate the disparities in housing experienced by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in Queensland.

How do we achieve it?

Together with our members, governments, other peak bodies and partners, we work to improve housing outcomes through advocacy, advice, support, partnerships and research.We provide resources and support; we work with government to improve laws and policies; and we work with partners and the housing industry to advance the rights and interests of First Nations people in Queensland. Our work includes:

Supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community housing providers

• Advocating for rights to First Nations’ self-determination
• Calling for adequate sector funding
• Building capacity, skills and knowledge through training, workshops and events
• Providing opportunities to network and build partnerships

Influencing legislation and policy

• Reforming legislation to improve the housing system
• Improving housing policies, programs and institutions to provide greater resources, opportunities and support for First Nations housing in Queensland
• Providing a policy platform for our members

Working with partners

• Influencing the housing industry to adopt best practice in engaging with First Nations people and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community housing providers
• Unlocking the potential of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community housing providers and supporting First Nations-led solutions
• Building partnerships and alliances to advance the housing rights and interests of First Nations people in Queensland

Additionally, we will continue to monitor Australian and international housing policy for solutions to address Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander housing inequalities and challenges in Queensland.

The role and functions of Housing Queensland are underpinned by our constitution and various pieces of legislation. Our organisation is a registered Australian company limited by guarantee, established under the Corporations Act 2001, which gives it specific powers and obligations. We are also a registered charity and are regulated by the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (ACNC).

Our constitution was developed in 2021 to govern us and guide our purpose. Our constitution describes our role. In broad terms it is to:

• Act as the peak body for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander housing in Queensland
• Strengthen Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community housing providers and Indigenous Councils in Queensland so that they can provide greater benefit to local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities; and
• Support government and non-government partners to deliver quality housing and homelessness services to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

We achieve our purpose through advocacy, advice, support, partnerships and research.

The Housing Queensland core values are a set of guiding principles and fundamental beliefs that will help us to successfully deliver objectives and priorities.

They include:

• Honesty. We are honest in our dealings with others within and outside the organisation.
• Integrity. We are open and clear in our dealings with our colleagues. We take appropriate action if we are aware of others who are not acting properly.
• Respect. We treat one another with respect and courtesy. We value one another's views and contributions.