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The development, integration and impact of Yuwaya Ngarrali’s housing project has been a particular highlight over 2022-2023. While housing shortage and quality has been a long-term concern for the Dharriwaa Elders Group and others in Walgett, the level and severity of unmet housing need during COVID brought fresh attention and momentum to this area. A COVID-related underspend allowed Yuwaya Ngarrali to engage Wiradjuri housing researcher and Masters of Architecture student Samantha Rich to progress the development of models of housing that could respond to community priorities and the local context including accommodation to support the diversion of young people from the justice system, crisis accommodation and Elders housing. Sam’s Elders housing project has received multiple awards, and the innovative youth diversion accommodation that has been designed to be a core element of the new Youth Wellbeing Service is groundbreaking as a model to address the social determinants of justice for Aboriginal young people in Walgett and elsewhere.

Elders housing

DEG's Secretary Virginia Robinson with Samantha Rich March 2022
DEG's Secretary Virginia Robinson with Samantha Rich March 2022

Wiradjuri building designer and architecture student Samantha Rich was introduced to DEG in 2021 and she quickly became a much valued member of the Yuwaya Ngarrali team.

Her first task was to listen to DEG Elders about their housing and home design needs. Since then she has prepared a model accommodation complex for independent Elders who would appreciate living in energy efficient, comfortable group cluster of small homes. DEG in late 2023 has purchased land so that Sam can draw up and cost practical, shovel-ready plans for the complex that we will seek funds for. Once Elders are housed in DEG's alternative more social housing will be freed for Walgett families. Sam is currently researching successful models of ACCO social housing management. Another Yuwaya Ngarrali collaborator, Dr Bob Davidson has been asked to research residential aged care funding models.

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