The State Government is helping Catherine House expand their crisis bed accommodation available to women experiencing homelessness.
The SA Housing Authority has transferred management of a two-bedroom cottage to Catherine House, resulting in an additional two crisis beds to the system.
Minister for Human Services Michelle Lensink said the bed boost meant Catherine House could now provide emergency accommodation capacity to 54 women on any given night, up from 52.
“This additional property will mean that Catherine House will be able to offer accommodation to an additional two women every night and enables more women to be supported at a time when they need it most,” said Minister Lensink.
“It is critical that services are available for vulnerable women who are experiencing homelessness and organisations like Catherine House provide invaluable support to the community.
Catherine House is a safe space where women can start their recovery journey and access assistance to help them plan for the future.”
Today’s announcement is the latest in a long and successful partnership between the SA Housing Authority and Catherine House.”
Catherine House provides supported accommodation services to women in South Australia who are aged 18 years and older, and are not accompanied by children. It was founded in 1988 as a partnership between the SA Housing Trust (now operating as the SA Housing Authority), the Sisters of Mercy and the Adelaide City Council.
Catherine House offers supported accommodation to help women recover from homelessness, assists them to find safe, stable accommodation, and links them with medical, psychological, legal, education and employment services.
The additional cottage will be available to Catherine House soon, after routine maintenance is completed.
Last night, Minister Lensink officially opened two newly refurbished cottages, also previously transferred from the SA Housing Authority (then the SA Housing Trust) to Catherine House.
Today’s announcement comes following the Liberal Government’s $4 million commitment to establish 40 new emergency crisis accommodation beds for people fleeing abuse. The government is currently consulting with local domestic violence and community service providers to ensure the beds are placed in locations of greatest need.
