The Albanese Labor Government is delivering safe, secure homes for women and children escaping family and domestic violence.
Minister for Housing and Homelessness Clare O'Neil and Minister Social Services Tanya Plibersek today announced that more than 22,000 women and children will have access to housing when they need it with $308 million supporting 448 new homes.
This funding from the Housing Australia Future Fund (HAFF) is dedicated to projects that deliver crisis and transitional housing and form part of Labor's ambitious commitment to delivering over $1.2 billion in crisis and transitional housing investment and 55,000 social and affordable homes across the country.
Labor's is ramping up to deliver housing at scale with construction starting on thirty new homes in Yarralumla with one, two and three‑bedroom units on the site of the former Minimbah Court public housing complex.
These are part of the 7,200 social and affordable homes the Albanese Labor Government has delivered since coming to office with another 23,000 homes in planning or construction.
Family and domestic violence is the main reason women and children leave their homes and become homeless in Australia. Ensuring they have somewhere safe to go, when they need it is critical.
This support will back several types of new housing that is connected to support services so that those escaping violence have a place to heal, regain independence and reconnect with their communities.
The projects will be delivered by community housing providers, state governments and First Nations organisations in partnership with Housing Australia.
In the Australian Capital Territory $16.8 million is delivering 19 homes across five projects.
Across Australia it will support:
- New South Wales: $139.1 million delivering 202 homes across 22 projects
- Victoria: $75.4 million delivering 113 homes across 24 projects
- Tasmania: $15.7 million delivering 37 homes across 15 projects
- Queensland: $14.5 million delivering 24 homes across five projects
- Western Australia: $22 million delivering 20 homes across three projects
- South Australia: $12.6 million delivering 18 homes across three projects
- The Northern Territory: $12 million delivering 15 homes across two projects
The Government is also backing reforms to tackle homelessness across Australia, including through:
- $275 million through the Safe Places Emergency Accommodation Program and the Crisis and Transitional Accommodation Program to support housing for women and children experiencing family and domestic violence.
- $9.3 billion to states and territories under the National Agreement on Social Housing and Homelessness, including $400 million per year in dedicated homelessness funding that states must match.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Housing, Homelessness and Cities, Clare O'Neil MP
"A secure place to live isn't just bricks and mortar, it's the foundation everything else is built on. For someone escaping family violence, it's safety. It's privacy. It's the chance to sleep without fear.
"This is why we're building and delivering hundreds of homes‑ which will help thousands of women and their kids then they need it most.
"And we're not just delivering for the short term. This is part of our plan to build thousands of social and affordable homes in every corner of our country for Australians experiencing or at risk of homelessness."
Quotes attributable to the Minister for Social Services, Tanya Plibersek MP
"People often ask 'why doesn't she leave?' when what we should be asking is 'where would she go?' and 'what help is available?'.
"We know housing is a major barrier for many women leaving violent situations. Women think twice about leaving violence if they think they will make their kids homeless.
"These projects will help thousands of women and their kids to heal, make a new home and rebuild their lives."
Quotes attributable to the ACT Minister for the Prevention of Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence, Caitlin Tough MLA
"No woman or child should have to choose between staying in a violent home and having nowhere to go.
"Leaving an abusive relationship can be the most dangerous time, making access to safe and secure housing more important than ever.
"A stable home gives women and their children the safety, dignity and support they need to heal and rebuild."
