The Department of Communities has developed a pilot program aimed at helping women and children escape family and domestic violence by securing their own home.
The Department’s Rapid Rehousing pilot is to trial two initiatives which assist eligible women — with or without children — to leave refuges and secure tenancies in the private rental market.
One of the initiatives is dedicated exclusively to Aboriginal women, as they experience family and domestic violence, and homelessness, at a significantly higher rate.
Minister for the Prevention of Family and Domestic Violence, Simone McGurk said the funding would assist up to 80 women a year, providing bond and a rental subsidy for 20 weeks, with the service provider permitted to exercise discretion and customise the assistance package where appropriate.
The Department said it had called for expressions of interest to seek services to deliver the Rapid Rehousing pilot with Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations strongly encouraged to bid for both initiatives.
Ms McGurk said the pilot would assist women who were escaping family violence to secure their own home, giving them a financial safety net and more disposable income to help them build stable, independent lives.
“In launching this expression of interest, the State Government is delivering on an important election commitment to assist with providing safe and stable housing to victim survivors of family and domestic violence, upon exit from women’s refuges or safe houses,” Ms McGurk said.
“These important initiatives will support eligible women to successfully transition from crisis accommodation to secure tenancies in the private rental market, by providing substantial subsidies toward the bond and rent.”
