Michael Ferguson,Minister for State Development, Construction and Housing
More help is available for women and children escaping family violence after the completion of a new three-bedroom house.
The Tasmanian Liberal Government is supporting women and children affected by family violence through funding upgrades and expansions of our women's shelters.
We've provided $469,533 to domestic violence crisis accommodation service Jireh House to construct a new three-bedroom house next to its current shelter facility in Southern Tasmania.
Each year, Jireh House provides crisis support and accommodation for approximately 90 women and 120 children who are homeless due to family violence, housing stress, or other life events.
This new property will allow Jireh House to help even more women and their children access care and support, ensuring they have access to safe and secure accommodation, support services, and assistance to help them in their time of need.
The new house will complement the recent purchase of a neighbouring three-bedroom property, which was funded by the Australian Government through the Safe Places Grant Program, and the purchase of a nearby three-bedroom house in partnership with Huon Valley Bendigo Bank Community Bank branches in January.
To ensure the success of Jireh House's partnership with Bendigo Bank, the Tasmanian Liberal Government has committed $20,000 per annum in recurrent funding to cover the salary costs associated with managing the property.
The Department of Communities Tasmania funds Jireh House to provide short-term crisis accommodation for women and their children escaping family violence and/or experiencing homelessness.
It is the only funded crisis accommodation shelter in the Kingborough area and has been operating since the 1980s.
The Tasmanian Liberal Government is committed to supporting survivors of family violence and we will continue doing all we can to deliver a range of housing and support assistance measures for Tasmanians in need.
Our 10-year, $1.5 billion housing package – the single largest housing investment in the State's history – will build on existing initiatives and take further action to tackle affordable housing and homelessness issues, consolidating housing as one of the highest priorities of the Government.
We have also provided $4.6 million, in conjunction with $1.9 million from the Australian Government, to fund an expansion of the Launceston Women's Shelter.
This will add another 15 self-contained one, two and three-bedroom units and associated facilities, including a multi-purpose centre, laundries and a children's playground. Construction is expected to be completed in late November.
