HHS is proud to announce a new partnership with the Mallee District Aboriginal Services (MDAS), northern Victoria’s largest Aboriginal health service. The partnership aims to take positive steps towards self-determination for local Aboriginal people as well as providing a foundation to advocate for greater funding in the region moving forward.
The partnership was officially launched at the opening of the new gathering place for local Aboriginal Elders in Mildura. BBQs and information sessions were also held for community in Swan Hill and Kerang to inform tenants of the partnership and how HHS will provide tenancy and maintenance support for MDAS rental properties. The partnership will involve the organisations working together to attract more funding to build new culturally appropriate, modern and energy-efficient homes in the region through the State Government’s Big Housing Build Initiative.
The partnership priority is to provide safe and secure housing and more of it and listening to tenants about their needs and working with them to deliver better housing outcomes.
“This partnership is an exciting and practical step toward self-determination for Aboriginal people by improving housing services and support for people living in MDAS properties.
This is about our shared commitment to bring about meaningful and positive change and enabling self-determination for Aboriginal people. Self-determination is about people having the right to define who they are, what they want, and what is best for themselves, their families, and their communities.”
MDAS Chief Executive Officer Jacki Turfrey said.
“The new partnership with HHS will be better tailored to Aboriginal people by offering culturally-appropriate services and wrap-around support to our tenants who are our community members,” Ms Turfrey said.
MDAS currently has 46 properties across Mildura, Swan Hill and Kerang (prior to the partnership housing services have been provided by local real estate companies). HHS currently provides tenancy and property management services to approximately 180 homes and support services across the Mallee.
“We are excited to be working in partnership with MDAS to provide tenancy and property management across the Mallee region and jointly tender to increase the availability of housing for the MDAS community via the Victorian Government’s Big Housing Build, Homes for Aboriginal Victorians funding round,” HHS General Manager Mallee Trevor Gibbs said.
