Housing options for Aboriginal people
Aboriginal people can apply for Aboriginal housing through the Aboriginal Housing Office, or apply for public or community housing.
Assistance for Aboriginal people aged 55+
You may be approved for soical housing if you meet the eligibility criteria as an Aboriginal person and/or Torres Strait Islander aged 55 years and over.
Help for Aboriginal people to buy a home
Grants and schemes available to help Aboriginal people in NSW who are wanting to buy their own home.
Aboriginal Housing Office (AHO)
The Aboriginal Housing Office (AHO) is a statutory body established under the Aboriginal Housing Act 1998 (NSW) to ensure that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have access to affordable, quality housing.
The AHO is funded by the NSW and Australian governments to administer the state’s Aboriginal community housing assets.
Evidence of confirmation of Aboriginality is required to be eligible for housing through the Aboriginal Housing Office (AHO) and to access other Homes NSW housing entitlements.
To access these entitlements at least one member of the household must be Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander.
There are additional evidence requirements if you are seeking housing as an elderly client (aged 55 years and over).
For more information about how to confirm your Aboriginality, see Item 3 on the Evidence Requirements Information Sheet.
Commonwealth Rent Assistance (CRA) is a rent supplement provided by the Australian Government through Centrelink. It helps certain low-income earners meet the cost of renting accommodation.
People living in social housing properties owned by the Aboriginal Housing Office (AHO) and managed by DCJ Housing, may be eligible to receive CRA from Centrelink.
Learn more about Commonwealth Rent Assistance.
Recognition as a tenant is when an Aboriginal housing or public housing tenancy is transferred to another eligible member of the household. This happens when the tenant has left the property due to health reasons, has been imprisoned or has died.
The Department of Communities and Justice (DCJ) provides recognition as a tenant to ensure that eligible household members will not be made homeless or forced to face hardship because the tenant has left the property or has died.
Learn more about being recognised as a tenant.
Resources and contacts for Aboriginal housing
Contact the Aboriginal Housing Office
Homes NSW
Find out how we can help you find or keep your housing and how to apply for private rental assistance, including Rentstart bond loans.
Find your nearest Community Housing Provider
Use the Community Housing Provider Register to locate your nearest provider.
Find your nearest housing office
Use the housing office finder to locate your nearest office.