SEARMS was established in 2003 under the Regional Management Model of the Aboriginal Housing Office (AHO) as a co-operative between six Aboriginal housing providers to improve efficiencies and services:
- Batemans Bay Local Aboriginal Land Council
- Bodalla Local Aboriginal Land Council
- Budawang Aboriginal Corporation
- Cobowra Local Aboriginal Land Council
- Mogo Local Aboriginal Land Council
- Ulladulla Local Aboriginal Land Council
As an AHO registered provider, we provide services to other Aboriginal organisations and the AHO across six Local Government areas in the far-south coast and Capital Region.
In 2011 SEARMS transitioned into an Aboriginal Corporation under the Commonwealth Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander (CATSI) Act, under the Office of the Registrar of Indigenous Corporations (ORIC). SEARMS is also a registered charity under the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (ACNC)with Public Benevolent Institution (PBI) and Deductible Gift Recipient (DGR) status with the Australian Tax Office (ATO).
On 29 January 2020 SEARMS achieved registration as a Tier 3 Community Housing Provider (CHP) under the National Regulatory System for Community Housing (NRSCH).
In March 2020, SEARMS was selected by NSW AHO as one of NSW’s first Aboriginal Community Housing Growth Providers.
Culture is at the centre of all we do
We acknowledge the impact of colonisation on our communities resulting in the current disadvantage in health, education and employment outcomes of Aboriginal peoples. We acknowledge that effective engagement to our stakeholders requires regular, sustainable face-to-face forums.
Listening and yarning, then acting and delivering builds respect and trust which in turn provides opportunities to partner and prosper. Empowering the use of language, culture and identity in our resources, policy and operations. Recognising and understanding the diversity of stories and strong links of our tenants, family and community to country is the foundation of mutual respect and productive relationship