Room to Breathe works continue to rollout across the Territory with 134 homes in 16 remote communities currently under construction.
Works are underway in communities from Areyonga, south-west of Alice Springs, to Pirlangimpi, at the top of Melville Island, with hundreds of families already living in homes that have been extended and revamped since the program was launched three years ago.
The innovative, job-creating program adds extra living spaces to existing homes, improving liveability and easing overcrowding.
In line with the Territory Labor Government's Local Decision Making strategy, houses are scoped for work in consultation with residents and communities and locals are employed at each site.
Aboriginal Business Enterprises have been awarded 32 of the 41 contracts issued so far with Aboriginal employment across the program averaging 48 per cent.
To date, 220 homes across 31 communities have been extended and upgraded. A further 379 homes will receive works over the next four years.
The Territory Labor Government's $1.53 billion housing and serviced lots investment is complemented by an additional $550 million from the Australian Government to support building, upgrading, extending and improving homes on a scale never before seen in the Territory.
As noted by Minister for Local Government, Housing and Community Development, Gerry McCarthy:
"On the back of decades of neglect in the remote housing sector, our Room to Breathe program has provided decent homes for hundreds of families, supported dozens of businesses and created jobs and skills development opportunities for local workers right across the Territory.
"Room to Breathe is just one part of our remote housing program that is transforming housing and offering better health, education, employment and social outcomes to our most vulnerable Territorians.
"The Territory Labor Government began this term with a clear agenda to ameliorate decades of neglect in the bush by reforming shocking living conditions.
"Three years into our program, we are on track to deliver on our promise but rest assured, both the CLP and Mills would cut ties with remote communities if they had the chance. Their track record proves they're not interested in helping Territorians who are most in need.
"Only a Labor Government will continue to build in the bush."
