The federal government must urgently fund Darwin's Yilli Short Stay Accommodation (YiSSA) to prevent its imminent closure, Greens say in letter to Federal Ministers for Housing & Indigenous Australians.
On October 11th, the Northern Territory government plans to displace around 150 people to a town 100km out from Darwin - effectively cutting off residents' access to jobs, family, and health and community services.
This vital Aboriginal-controlled accommodation supports patients undergoing dialysis at the local hospital, DV victim-survivors and people at risk of homelessness.
As stated by Greens spokesperson on Regional Development & Northern Australia, Senator Penny Allman-Payne:
"Investing in our North means making sure people have places to live close to the community where they live and work.
"The Federal Government must support Aboriginal-controlled services including and especially YiSSA. Losing the facility means losing a safety net for people on the brink of homelessness in Darwin.
"Federal Labor must not stand by while the Northern Territory government forcibly relocates people away from their own communities, particularly First Nations peoples who have been continually subjected to forced relocation policies."
As stated by Greens spokesperson on Housing & Homelessness, Senator Barbara Pocock:
"Australia has a shameful legacy of intergenerational dispossession and dislocation of First Nations peoples from their homes and communities. Current forced relocation policies are a continuation of that legacy.
"Housing is a human right and is key to self determination - it shapes people's health, education, safety and connection to community and culture.
"The Commonwealth has a responsibility to intervene to prevent this community being forcibly displaced from housing as a result of YiSSA's closure.
"The Federal Government must support vital Aboriginal-controlled services like YiSSA and properly resource Aboriginal-controlled housing to tackle homelessness and keep communities together."
