$2.9 million is being invested in Narromine to deliver housing to vulnerable members of the community.  

The project is part of an Aboriginal social housing program that will see 16 new houses delivered to the town. 

The houses will be built in an area that will also boost employability of the residents through close proximity to shops and services.  

Member for Dubbo Dugald Saunders said the project is an important step towards safer and secure homes for individuals and families at risk of homelessness to “help break the cycle of homelessness and change lives for the better”. 

The project will be done in partnership with Orana Support Service, who provide services to people experiencing or at risk of homelessness.  

Orana Support Service CEO Tina Reynolds said the project is a substantial step in providing accommodation for the community.  

“This project will help address the housing situation in the Narromine region and support our Aboriginal clients into new homes,” Ms Reynolds said.  

Ms Reynolds says that the project is the beginning of further changes to address housing issues with the region.  

“This is stage 1, 16 self-contained units for social housing. Orana Support Service has plans for further changes,” Ms Reynolds said. 

“This is a wonderful opportunity for the Orana Region, in particular Narromine. (Orana Support Service) looks forward to growing our services in Narromine to benefit the entire community,” she added.  

While stage 1 is dedicated to Aboriginal social housing, future plans in the district could see housing opportunities for other disadvantaged groups.  

Other housing projects brought to life by the funding have been dedicated to older or vulnerable women, people with disabilities, and families escaping households of domestic violence.  

Out of 14 similar projects under the state’s Community Housing Innovation Fund, Narromine is the only community in Western NSW to receive the funding.  

In the 2021-22 budget $3.4 million was allocated to further affordable housing projects for Aborigninal communities in Walgett, Wilcannia, and Broken Hill, though the projects are yet to be established. 

Currently in NSW, there are 50,000 vulnerable people waiting for social housing, with a wait time of 10 years. There are 800 social housing projects in planning across the state.