In Jurnkkurakurr/Tennant Creek, where current climate data is predicting dramatic increases in days above 40 degrees, Wilya Janta ("Standing Strong") is an Aboriginal corporation working to revolutionise housing in remote communities by providing homes designed by Aboriginal people, for Aboriginal people.
Working with Warumungu Elders and community members, Wilya Janta are developing houses that combine traditional knowledge with modern sustainability features – from using locally sourced, regenerative materials like anthill, spinifex and solar power, to ensuring that cultural considerations form an integral part of the design process. Through innovative cultural consultancy and a highly collaborative design process, they're demonstrating how homes can be both culturally appropriate and climate resilient.
This groundbreaking project addresses multiple challenges facing remote communities, where current housing often reflects ongoing failures in design, poor thermal performance, and lack of cultural consideration. As residents increasingly face difficult choices between paying expensive electricity bills for air conditioning and meeting basic needs like medication and food, Wilya Janta's work shows how centring community knowledge and cultural practices can create housing solutions that are not only more sustainable but that also restore agency to communities in determining their own housing futures.
We redistributed $7,271 towards Wilya Janta's vital efforts in revolutionising housing solutions with, and for, First Nations communities.
Unless otherwise stated, Pure Community and Pure Finance have no direct affiliation with the organisations and initiatives listed above, or on the Pure Community website. We simply appreciate the work that they do, and choose to show our appreciation by lending our support.