Big Issues
Big Issues are a series of articles that will continue to discuss and challenge myths, omissions and sloppy thinking that impact badly on the design, construction and maintenance of housing and consequently people’s health.
Impact
In Australia alone over 273 Housing for Health projects have improved over 10,310+ houses since 1985
This represents around one-third of Australia’s Indigenous controlled housing stock. This has directly improved the lives of over 60,000+ people for a maximum expenditure of $11,000 per house.
Healthabitat and Housing for Health are about improving the living environments to improve people’s health. We do this through Projects, Advocacy, Education, Research and Development.
40% reduction in hospital admissions...
“… Those who received the Housing for Health intervention had a significantly reduced rate of hospital separations for infectious diseases – 40 % less than the hospital separation* rate for the rest of the Rural NSW Aboriginal population without the Housing for Health interventions.”
‘Closing the gap: 10 Years of Housing for Health in NSW, An evaluation of a healthy housing intervention 1998-2009’
NSW Ministry of Health Report
*The administrative process by which a hospital records the cessation of treatment and/or care and/or accommodation of a patient. It is a commonly used measure of the utilization of hospital services.
The Housing for Health method is acknowledged and endorsed...
“That the FHBH [Housing for Health] Project delivery method be acknowledged and endorsed as a successful means of program delivery, particularly with regard to good resource planning and achieving practical outcomes in relation to ‘on-the-spot’ fixing of health hardware deficiencies. It is a conceptually straightforward methodology which accords with best practice asset management principles, and which can be successfully applied by FHBH [Housing for Health] Project managers and participating communities. It has been shown to be appropriate and adaptable to its circumstances and to provide an objective ‘evidence-based’ means of assessing the status of Indigenous housing.”
The report also recommended the methodology be endorsed as an effective means for improving Indigenous housing outcomes at Australian Government level.
‘An independent review of the national program 2002-2005’
SGS Economics & Planning Pty Ltd (SGS) and Tallegalla Consultants Pty Ltd (Dan Gillespie)
Learn More
How to reduce poverty? Fix homes! The late Paul Pholeros at TEDx Sydney
