Pride Of Place
Pride of Place (POP) is a backyard renovation project supporting families to carry out small-scale projects that build skills, pride and confidence; transforming their backyards into attractive, safe, healthy spaces.
All families in the four welfare reform communities are eligible for POP if they have a current tenancy agreement, are up to date with their rent and save $1,000 to contribute towards the renovation project. Participants receive up to $15,000 for material and specialist assistance to plan, design and work on their projects. Families are required to do the majority of the ‘sweat equity’ which is the physical work needed to complete a project, as this engenders pride and ongoing responsibility.
Families who sign up to this program also commit to doing an MPower Plan through their local Opportunity-Hub1. MPower is Cape York Partnerships’ (CYP) money management program that assists families to meet their basic needs and create wealth. MPower coaches work with families to map out where they are in their lives, where they want to be and what they need to do to get there. They also draw up a family budget and set goals and receive follow up coaching sessions to help them stay on track.
Trained POP Enablers work with families to provide guidance from the initial stages through to completion. Any construction work is overseen by qualified builders and the POP team work closely with local councils to ensure the local government planning and application processes are completed. The project also uses expert contractors for specialist jobs such as paving. The project utilises volunteers where possible, who have expertise in landscaping and outdoor constructions.
Objective
Rebuild social norms by supporting families to undertake home and backyard improvements that increase personal responsibility, skill development, home pride and improved wellbeing.
Operating model
POP uses participant pathway model to deliver the project.
• Engage – Householders make an appointment at their local Opportunity Hub to discuss the POP and eligibility and, if it suits them, they sign up.
• Design – Householders work with a POP Enabler to explore design ideas, draw backyard plans, set timeframes, tasks and budget, approve final design and capture before photos.
• Clean up – Householders draft a cleanup plan, resolve tasks and time frame and then get to work.
• Improve – Householders, tradespeople and POP Enablers carry out the improvements.
• Celebrate – Households host a BBQ with friends and family to celebrate the new back yard.
• Maintain – Households with the POP Enabler draw up a plan for the family to keep the improvements maintained.
Funding and partnerships
POP is a component of the Housing Stream of the Cape York Welfare Reform Agenda — a tripartite agreement between the Australian Government, Queensland Government, Cape York Partnerships and regional organisations.
Welfare Reform currently operates in Aurukun, Coen, Hope Vale and Mossman Gorge. POP is funded by the Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs (FaHCSIA).
CYP welcomes volunteers with trade skills who want to share knowledge and help families renovate their backyards. This is a uniquely rewarding opportunity to learn about Indigenous culture and form lasting friendships with Indigenous families.
The case for reform
Many Cape York families live in overcrowded houses that are in desperate need of repair. Often, basics like food storage, cooking, shower and toilet facilities are not functional2. Overcrowding, poor construction and maintenance and the anti-social behaviours of some, all negatively impact on the health and well being of children and others who occupy the household3. The situation is at crisis point and requires immediate action.
The land tenure systems in the region hinder the establishment of a private property market so home ownership or private rentals are not possible. This effectively means public housing is the only option.
Research indicates that Indigenous families, like most Australians, aspire to live in safe, healthy and attractive homes they can take pride in. They want opportunities to gain employment, own their own home, and want to make their homes more liveable.
There is considerable international research to indicate the public health benefits for families and communities who participate in home beautification and ownership programs.
CYP, in partnership with government and other regional organisations, are working to resolve the significant and complex structural barriers to home ownership. CYP has developed a suite of projects that support each other to achieve the goal of home ownership in Cape York.
POP is just one ‘piece of the jigsaw’ along with House to Home4, Home Ownership Opportunity Port5, and Bush Owner Builder6. POP participants will sign up to Bayan7: Bronze which provides the account facilities within MPower to prepare the family for transition to home ownership.
Alignment with the Cape York Agenda
CYP’s role is to implement the social, economic and cultural development goals of the Cape York Agenda, developed by indigenous leaders from Cape York. CYP has developed a Third Way to enable Aboriginal families to move from passive welfare dependency to real economic participation. This Third Way shifts from passive service delivery to an approach that combines personal and family responsibility, capabilities development and tangible opportunity products to enable individual and family pathways to a better life.
POP provides a pathway to home ownership, ensuring that families are able to facilitate wealth creation and participate in the real economy like other Australians.
1. O-Hubs are purpose built community centres staffed by a team of professionals that include local people, who offer individuals and families access to a range of opportunity products. These products are designed to support personal responsibility and increase participation in education, employment, financial management, housing and other endeavours.
2. Australian Government Productivity Commission, Overcoming Indigenous Disadvantage Report, Remote Areas Key Indicators, Canberra, 2009
3. Garner, G 2006, The ecology and inter-relationship of between housing and health outcomes. Retrieved August 10, 2007, from http://eprints.qut.edu.au/archive/00007216/01/7216.pdf
4. House to Home supports families to transform their run down public houses into clean, safe and secure homes that they can purchase through the Bayan: Home Ownership scheme.
5. Home Ownership Opportunity Port supports Indigenous working families to create wealth and mobility allowing reinvestment and repatriation back into Cape York villages while ensuring public’s investment in affordable housing is protected and maximised.
6. Bush Owner Builder is a Cape York Partnerships Welfare Reform pilot program that supports Indigenous people to build their own simple climate-conscious bush homes on their traditional lands.
7. Bayan is a financial management facility assisting aspiring home owners, step by step from renting to home ownership.