An official crackdown on the way Aboriginal people prove their heritage and access Indigenous housing has divided the Aboriginal community and prompted a vow by new Social Housing Minister Brad Hazzard to examine the policy.

An Aboriginal tenancy service welcomed the move, saying the practice of people pretending to be Aboriginal must stop. But one Aboriginal community leader says the change will unfairly punish vulnerable people who need housing.

Wants a national databse of Aboriginal people: Chief Indigenous adviser Warren Mundine. Credit:Edwina Pickles

The Abbott government's chief Indigenous adviser Warren Mundine wants a national database of Aboriginal people to resolve "once and for all" the controversial issue of proving Aboriginality.

In NSW, social housing is available to Aboriginal people who may be disadvantaged and lack the financial means to enter the private rental market. There are approximately 10,500 Aboriginal tenants in social housing, and more than 2300 on the waiting list.