The Women’s Housing Alliance (WHA), established in 2019, aims to advocate and address shared concerns about the chronic housing shortage for women and children escaping family violence and experiencing homelessness at dangerously growing rates.
The Alliance, made up of representatives from YWCA National Housing, Women’s Property Initiatives, safe steps Family Violence Response Centre, Women’s Housing Ltd., McAuley Community Services for Women, Women’s Health Victoria and Good Samaritan Inn, Flatout and Juno, recognise the need to address housing needs from crisis accommodation and transitional supported housing to affordable long-term housing for women and children.
In the lead up to the election, WHA is calling for increased priority and investment for women at risk of and experiencing homelessness across all sectors; government, legislative, philanthropy and private sectors to provide timely, safe, accessible and affordable homes for women, children and young people in vulnerable circumstances.
“This alliance of women’s housing and homelessness services is highlighting the dire need for housing and homes for vulnerable women and their children be addressed”, says Jeanette Large of Women’s Property Initiatives.
“The combined knowledge, experience and skill of the CEO’S who are members of the Alliance is extensive and they know what is needed. The Alliance just needs to be listened to, taken seriously and provided with the necessary funding to address this ever-growing unacceptable issue.”
The Alliance will also be hosting a forum during Homelessness Week (1-7 August) to bring attention to key issues and solutions needed to support addressing the short-term and longer-term housing crisis experienced by all services working to support women and children to live free from family violence. More details to follow.
“In the lead up to the State election, the forum aims to draw attention to the complex and intersecting issues impacting on women’s housing and homelessness and to highlight that with the right level of commitment there are real and sustainable solutions,” says Jade Blakkarly, Juno CEO.
Homes for 100 Women: Demonstration Project
Homes for 100 Women, an initiative of WHA, will demonstrate and quantify the improved sustainable long term social and economic outcomes that can be achieved by providing long term housing and integrated support services to 100 women and their children experiencing homelessness.
Once funded, Homes for 100 Women will be a truly unique offering as it provides a critical gender lens to the housing and homelessness crisis.
Please get in touch with WHA if you are interested in partnering on this project to support 100 women and their children to move from homelessness to long-term secure and affordable housing on .
