The Minns Labor Government is continuing to build a safer New South Wales for regional women and children escaping domestic and family violence, with a new crisis transitional housing opening in the Eurobodalla LGA this month.
The homes will be managed by South East Women and Children's Services (SEWACS), a local community housing provider and specialist domestic violence service.
Funded under the NSW Government's $6.8 million Core and Cluster Pilot program, the accommodation comprises three modern two-bedroom units. The units are fully self-contained and set within landscaped gardens, with one unit being fully accessible.
The accommodation is designed to provide medium-term housing for women and children leaving SEWACS's nearby emergency refuge, offering a safe and comfortable environment for those on their journey to recovery and healing.
The Core and Cluster Pilot program tested innovative accommodation models across four sites in regional New South Wales, with the Eurobodalla development being the final pilot site. The other sites which are all operational are in the Orange, Armidale and Griffith LGAs.
The opening of the Eurobodalla site is another crucial step in addressing the ongoing need for domestic and family violence accommodation across regional New South Wales, ensuring women and children have access to the support they need when escaping violence.
This is in addition to the NSW Government's $426.6 million investment in the broader Core and Cluster program, which will deliver 49 new refuges across the state to support more than 2,900 additional women and children each year.
Providing safe housing for victim-survivors is a critical part of the work the Minns Labor Government is doing to address domestic and family violence in the state. This includes an historic $5.1 billion investment for social and affordable housing, of which half of new builds will be prioritised for victim-survivors of domestic and family violence, and an additional $130 million for more crisis beds.
It is also part of the NSW Government's wider effort to reduce and eliminate domestic and family violence, including boosting and supporting frontline services, tougher laws to hold perpetrators to account, early intervention and primary prevention.
Minister for Housing and Homelessness Rose Jackson said:
"This new transitional housing is more than just a roof over someone's head, it's a purpose-built sanctuary designed to provide safety and dignity, so they can rebuild their lives.
"The Minns Labor Government is committed to ensuring that no matter where you live in our state, there is a safe place to go when you're escaping violence.
"This opening represents a significant boost to supported transitional housing in Eurobodalla, delivering a modern, trauma-informed model of crisis transitional housing with support for women and children fleeing violence in our regions."
Minister for the Prevention of Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Jodie Harrison said:
"The new units in Eurobodalla will provide a vital medium-term accommodation option for women and children who need a secure space when they escape abuse.
"We know that women in regional areas face different challenges to those in metropolitan Sydney. These units close a gap where women fleeing violence are supported in their move toward independent living.
"The NSW Government is continuing to build a safer New South Wales for victim-survivors by providing safe housing and crucial support services, as well as strengthening protections and stopping the violence before it starts."
Member for Bega Dr Michael Holland MP said:
"The opening of this transitional accommodation in the Eurobodalla is a significant step in strengthening safety and support for women and children escaping domestic and family violence in our region.
"Having locally managed, medium-term accommodation means victim-survivors have a choice to remain close to their communities, schools, services and support networks while they recover and rebuild their lives.
"I want to acknowledge the vital role of South East Women and Children's Services in delivering this housing and providing the support that makes a real difference for families when they are at their most vulnerable.
"This investment demonstrates the Minns Labor Government's strong commitment to ensuring regional communities like ours in the Eurobodalla have access to safe housing and the support needed to break the cycle of violence and build the safe future everybody deserves."
Executive Officer South East Women and Children's Services (SEWACS) Caroline Long said:
"I am very pleased to see the completion of these new units, which will provide comfortable, supported, transitional housing for three families. These units will be an invaluable asset to our service and community and will allow the people we support to transition into permanent housing. As both a community housing provider and a support service the units will provide exit points from our crisis accommodation service. We are very grateful to receive the keys for these dwellings."
Support:
If you or someone you know are in immediate danger, call the Police on Triple Zero / 000.
If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic and family violence, call the NSW Domestic Violence Line
