- Jalbi Jiya was established in 2020 and provides a pathway to home ownership for Aboriginal families
- The program is funded through the McGowan Government’s $200 million North West Aboriginal Housing Fund
- The $9.7 million program is delivered and co-designed by Nyamba Buru Yawuru Limited
Four Aboriginal families in Broome have now become first homeowners under the McGowan Government’s Jalbi Jiya housing program.
The Jalbi Jiya was established in 2020 and provides a pathway to home ownership for Aboriginal families. An interim evaluation of Jalbi Jiya undertaken in mid-2022 found the program to be delivering positive life outcomes for participants just 12 months after its inception.
Since entering the program, 32.4 per cent of participants have reported an increase in net wealth; with 40 per cent and 33 per cent supported to achieve their employment and training goals, respectively.
Funded through the McGowan Government’s $200 million North West Aboriginal Housing Fund (NWAHF), the Jalbi Jiya program was co-designed and is run in partnership with Nyama Buru Yawuru, the operational company of the Yawuru people.
There are 25 houses in the program, acquired with $9.7 million of NWAHF funding provided in 2020, of which 14 are occupied by families looking to purchase their own home.
Eight homes are being used as long-term rentals to provide stable and affordable rental accommodation for families, many of whom are contemplating home ownership in the future, while another three have been purchased by program participants.
The program also supports culturally informed support services, along with property and tenancy management services.
As stated by Housing Minister John Carey:
“Jalbi Jiya means ‘your home’ in the language of the Yawuru people, the Traditional Owners of Broome.
“The McGowan Government is deeply proud to be partnering with Nyamba Buru Yawuru in delivering the Jalbi Jiya program.
“After 12 months of operation, the Jalbi Jiya program delivered by Nyamba Buru Yawuru is proving to be a successful model in improving the lives of Aboriginal families.
“Our Government is focussed on delivering a Housing First Approach as providing someone with a home can be transformative and life-changing.
“A home provides stability, safety, connection to community and is at the core of improving a person’s overall wellbeing.”
As stated by Kimberley MLA Divina D’Anna:
“With four Aboriginal families becoming proud new homeowners just two years into the program, I’m proud to see the Jalbi Jiya program is making a positive difference.
“I commend Nyamba Buru Yawuru for their commitment to continuous improvement and their firm focus on the needs and goals of individuals in the program.”
