AFFORDABLE HOUSING FOR INDIGENOUS COMMUNITIES

The CSI Affordable Housing business unit at the St Heliers Correctional Centre builds homes for Aboriginal communities in rural New South Wales. Trade qualified Overseers supervise a workforce of 45 inmates, 50% Aboriginal. These Aboriginal workers are in the Gundi Program, supporting Indigenous inmates by giving them practical skills and formal TAFE qualifications in a range of construction-related jobs, such as Cert II and Cert III in Building & Construction, forklift operation, dogman (crane assistant) and asbestos removal.

The Gundi program is a partnership between the state's Aboriginal Housing Office and CSI. The program aims to boost the job prospects for offenders when they are released and provides post-release support to gain and maintain jobs. It also addresses a serious housing shortage in remote areas, where a lack of qualified tradespeople has contributed to overcrowding for many Indigenous families.

The homes are installed with hot and cold water plus plumbing, electrical, kitchen, bathroom and wardrobe fit-outs. Homes manufactured by CSI are designed for individual supports or piers and anchored with a number of tie downs appropriate for local conditions. The design engineers (ACOR) maintain a program of quality assurance inspections on works in progress at the St Heliers business unit.

CSI is expanding its affordable housing provision into other markets. If you are interested in further information, contact the CSI Director Business Development, tel: 02 4582 2420 or email csi@justice.nsw.gov.au