Our History
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BATSICCHA was founded and established by the Brisbane Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Community. We acknowledge our Communities' leaders - past and present - and their contribution to the establishment, growth and strategic vision of BATSICCHA. |
The Brisbane Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Community Controlled Housing Authority (BATSICCHA) was first registered as a Public Company on 15 March 1974 under the Queensland Companies Act 1961 – 1972, trading then under Black Community Housing Service (BCHS). The Company began its operations from the then Tribal Council of Brisbane, located at Latrobe Terrace in Paddington.
BATSICCHA (formerly BCHS) operated from multiple locations over the next 14-year period, including Spring Hill, Roma Street and Woolloongabba, before settling in West End and then at Russell Street, South Brisbane in late 2015.
The rationale for BATSICCHA's establishment during the early 1970s period was grounded in recognition as to the need for a culturally appropriate and accessible services that could provide Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in the Greater Brisbane Area with safe and affordable housing and accommodation.
During this period, there were an increasing number of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people moving to Brisbane from outer lying areas and former ‘Mission’ communities. Both employment and housing were difficult for Indigenous people to attain, contributing to issues of housing affordability, overcrowding and homelessness.
BATSICCHA (formerly BCHS) operated from multiple locations over the next 14-year period, including Spring Hill, Roma Street and Woolloongabba, before settling in West End and then at Russell Street, South Brisbane in late 2015.
The rationale for BATSICCHA's establishment during the early 1970s period was grounded in recognition as to the need for a culturally appropriate and accessible services that could provide Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in the Greater Brisbane Area with safe and affordable housing and accommodation.
During this period, there were an increasing number of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people moving to Brisbane from outer lying areas and former ‘Mission’ communities. Both employment and housing were difficult for Indigenous people to attain, contributing to issues of housing affordability, overcrowding and homelessness.
BATSICCHA was established to promote the social and economic aspirations and independence of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, through provision of holistic and integrated housing and homelessness services and projects.
While BATSICCHA's core operations have since evolved over the past 40 years, the Company has retained its grass-roots focus and still works to provide accessible, affordable and safe housing and accommodation options for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in the Greater Brisbane Area.
While measurable improvements have been made in Indigenous service access and outcomes – greatly supported by the advent and growth of Community Controlled health and social services since the early 70s period - Brisbane’s Indigenous Community still experience disproportionate disadvantage across all measurable domains (i.e. health, housing, employment, education etc.). There is a subsequent retained focus on ensuring the sustainability and maintenance of BATSICCHA's current and future service delivery functions.
While measurable improvements have been made in Indigenous service access and outcomes – greatly supported by the advent and growth of Community Controlled health and social services since the early 70s period - Brisbane’s Indigenous Community still experience disproportionate disadvantage across all measurable domains (i.e. health, housing, employment, education etc.). There is a subsequent retained focus on ensuring the sustainability and maintenance of BATSICCHA's current and future service delivery functions.
The establishment of BATSICCHA in 1974 represented a Community driven response to these issues; with the objective being to provide a fully functional Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander housing service that would enable Indigenous individuals and families access to affordable, safe and sustainable accommodation.
Supporting Indigenous social inclusion and economic development were intertwined objectives, with BCHS delivering holistic and culturally secure client and family support; linkage to other emerging Community Controlled organisations at this time; and access to housing that didn’t segregate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, but rather enabled access to broader society and required services.
Supporting Indigenous social inclusion and economic development were intertwined objectives, with BCHS delivering holistic and culturally secure client and family support; linkage to other emerging Community Controlled organisations at this time; and access to housing that didn’t segregate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, but rather enabled access to broader society and required services.
