We are pleased to share that our newly built Domestic Violence Refuge in Sydney is now complete. The project has been long awaited and will support Indigenous women and children for years to come. Thank you to DV West for their collaboration and for all our corporate partners at Helia , Holcim, Haneco Lighting Australia and CSR Gyprock who helped make this project a reality. This project is supported by the Australian Government Department of Social Services (DSS).
According to recent reports 18,255 people in Australia or 38% of those seeking specialist homelessness services in 2022-23 reported family and domestic violence as the main reason they were seeking assistance – higher than any other category. Tragically roughly 50% of those women and children were turned away because of a lack of accommodation support. (NSW.gov.au) This shelter will house up to 180 women and children every year with a safe place to call home.
We have partnered with DV West to manage and operate the services once the accommodation is ready to receive women and children.
DV West (formerly known as West Connect Domestic Violence Service) has a 40-year history of providing support and accommodation to women and children. Since 1995 we have successfully managed a range of specialist domestic violence services across the Nepean, Blue Mountains, Blacktown/Hills and Hawkesbury districts. These services include four refuges, 28 transitional housing properties, 5 outreach support hubs, a centralised intake and assessment service, Domestic Violence Response Enhancement service (DVRE) for women in temporary accommodation, group programs for women and children and in-house counselling. DV West has supported women in their greatest times of need. With the support of DV West we are able to ensure a brighter and safe future for women and children escaping domestic violence.
This project was possible thanks to Habitat for Humanity Australia being awarded AUD $909,822 by the Australian Government as part of the Safe Places Emergency Accommodation program. The Safe Places Emergency Accommodation program is part of the Government’s $78 million (GST exclusive) funding package to ensure there are additional safe places for women and children experiencing family and domestic violence.
ABOUT US
Habitat for Humanity Australia is driven by the vision that everyone needs a decent place to live. Habitat for Humanity began in 1976 as a grassroots effort and has since grown to become a leading global non-profit for housing in more than 70 countries. Worldwide Habitat for Humanity has helped more than 59 million people obtain safe and decent housing, along with strength, stability and independence to build better lives. Without decent housing, people become vulnerable to a range of issues, including increased health risks, reduced security and social isolation. In Australia, where Habitat for Humanity Australia has been working for 30 years, there is a great need to support disadvantaged people in our community.
To interview Brian Tasker, or for further information about the project and any other parts of Habitat’s work please contact Brian Tasker on [email protected] or Monique Crusius on [email protected].