YPHA Inc. acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the lands and waterways on which we live, work, and advocate. We pay our deepest respects to Elders past, present, and emerging, and recognise the enduring connection of First Nations peoples to Country. That connection has existed for tens of thousands of years and it continues to shape the communities we are part of today.
Why This Matters to YPHA
Housing is about land. And any honest conversation about land in Australia must begin with an acknowledgement that this land was never ceded. It has been cared for by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples for thousands of generations.
As an organisation that advocates for housing access and works towards land acquisition for community housing, YPHA holds a responsibility to approach this work with respect, awareness, and a real commitment to doing this properly. Our constitutional objects call for expanding practical, affordable, and inclusive pathways for all young people, and we mean all.
Our Vision for the Future
YPHA is in its earliest stages. Before we can create community spaces, we need to acquire land and begin building homes. But as we grow, we want to make sure respect for First Nations culture is built into what we do. Not just words on a page, but real action as we grow.
🎨 Cultural Spaces
As YPHA acquires land for housing, we plan to incorporate spaces that celebrate and honour First Nations art, culture, and storytelling. Think art stalls, gathering areas, and places for cultural exchange.
🤝 Community Connection
We will seek relationships with local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community groups and Elders so that our work respects the cultural significance of the land we operate on.
🏡 Inclusive Pathways
Our constitutional commitment to expanding affordable, inclusive housing extends to First Nations young people, who face some of the biggest barriers to housing access anywhere in Australia.
🌱 Ongoing Learning
We know we have a lot to learn. YPHA is new, and as we grow we will keep listening, keep asking, and keep doing better by the communities around us.
This is where we want to get to. YPHA is new, and our first priority is acquiring land and building housing pathways for young people. But we believe that how we build matters as much as what we build. As our organisation grows, so too will our ability to put these commitments into practice.