More women and children escaping domestic and family violence, along with people in urgent need of a safe shelter, will have access to crisis accommodation as the Minns Labor Government invests $130 million to add more beds for people experiencing homelessness.
The new Building Crisis Housing Plan will significantly increase crisis accommodation capacity, adding at least 200 beds over four years across New South Wales.
This will mean hundreds more people facing sudden housing instability will have access to safe, supported accommodation, giving them time to stabilise their lives.
The first new or upgraded beds are set to become available next year.
The Minns Labor Government has now committed a record $688 million to homelessness services in New South Wales.
This is in sharp contrast to the former Liberal-National government where funding for refuge-based crisis accommodation and vital services was chronically neglected.
Ageing infrastructure that is not fit-for-purpose - such as large, converted homes with shared facilities - will be renewed to deliver new crisis housing that better meets community needs.
Funding will be used to renew and expand crisis accommodation properties to better support those experiencing homelessness, including victims of domestic and family violence, young people and Aboriginal communities.
The plan will also look to use modular homes on vacant land to quickly bring new crisis accommodation online and expand capacity.
The Building Crisis Housing Plan will build on the momentum of the $100 million Homelessness Innovation Fund which has already delivered more than 800 new rooms for people in need and reduced reliance on expensive motels and hotels.
It's all part of the Minns Labor Government's plan to build a better New South Wales where homelessness is rare, brief, and not repeated.
The historic $6.6 billion Building Homes for NSW program is taking a housing-first approach to confronting the homelessness crisis, including:
- Delivering 8,400 new public homes, with at least half for women and children escaping domestic and family violence.
- Upgrading 30,000 existing homes to make them safer, modern and more energy efficient.
- Providing record funding for homelessness services.
Premier of New South Wales Chris Minns said:
"When someone's world is falling apart, with no safe place to sleep, they rely on crisis accommodation.
"Whether it's a mum and her kids escaping domestic violence, or a young person facing a night on the streets, this plan will deliver more safe and secure beds. Every new bed means one fewer person sleeping rough.
"This major investment is part of our plan to rebuild essential services and build homes for NSW."
Minister for Housing and Homelessness Rose Jackson said:
"The former government's 'Going Home, Staying Home' reforms cut funding to vital refuges and left services stretched to breaking point.
"This new plan changes that. We're rebuilding crisis accommodation from the ground up with new investment in crisis housing for people facing homelessness and using modular housing to get new refuges open faster.
"It's about making sure that when someone reaches out for help, there's a door open, a bed ready, and the support they need to get back on their feet."
Minister for the Prevention of Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Jodie Harrison said:
"We know there is urgent need for more crisis accommodation for victim-survivors and their children.
"This historic investment by the Minns Labor Government makes sure we have more crisis beds so victim-survivors don't have to choose between staying with a violent abuser or their safety.
"Our Government is working hard to build a safer NSW, investing in important housing measures like this so victim-survivors have a safe place to go when they need it most, but also addressing domestic and family violence to stop it before it starts."
