Work is set to commence on a new inner-Sydney development that will provide additional housing for women and children escaping domestic and family violence as part of a partnership between the NSW Government and City West Housing.
The new development in Waterloo will include 74 apartments, of which up to 24 will be for women and children experiencing DFV, including 8 social housing tenants.
Minister for Women’s Safety and the Prevention of Domestic and Sexual Violence, Natalie Ward, said this important initiative would help provide protection for vulnerable women and children.
“Leaving a violent domestic relationship often means having to flee the family home, so it is vital that women and children have access to safe and affordable housing as quickly as possible to help them to rebuild their lives,” Mrs Ward said.
“These new homes will provide vulnerable victim-survivors with safe accommodation that is close to a range of essential amenities, shops and transport.”
Minister for Families and Communities and Minister for Disability Services Natasha Maclaren-Jones said the new residential building of 74 units in Waterloo will provide the opportunity of a brighter future for some of our most vulnerable.
“We know that stable accommodation and wrap-around services are vital to helping women and children escaping violence have a greater chance at success,” Mrs Maclaren-Jones said.
“A home is so important for a person’s health and wellbeing, which is why we are working with community housing providers to help those who need it most. We are already seeing positive outcomes through the delivery of the first 29 dwellings as part of the Community Housing Innovation Fund (CHIF).”
City West Housing CEO Leonie King said providing safe, secure and quality affordable housing was at the core of their operation.
“We look forward to being able to provide a home for vulnerable women and children in our new development,” Ms King said.
The NSW Government has provided $4.7 million towards the development, which will comprise of eight homes allocated under the Community Housing Innovation Fund – Domestic and Family Violence program (CHIF DFV) and a further 16 units assigned by City West Housing to be used for eligible DFV victim-survivors.
CHIF DFV is a $52.5 million investment partnership with the NSW community housing sector over four years to provide 200 sustainable, social, and affordable homes for women experiencing DFV.
Current confirmed housing allocations include:
- 21 apartments in a single block in Guildford purchased in collaboration with Evolve Housing, with properties acquired in December 2021 and available now (subject to existing tenancies lapsing).
- 8 apartments in a single block in Canterbury, purchased in partnership with Metro Community Housing and available to domestic violence survivors from April 2022: and
- Up to 16 apartments being purchased in the Canterbury/ Bankstown area in partnership with the Women’s Housing Company and available for use by September 2022.
- 4 townhouses in Wagga Wagga developed in partnership with Wagga Wagga Aboriginal Land Council and specifically for Aboriginal victim-survivors. Due for completion in the first half of 2023.
- 4 units in Goulburn delivered in partnership with Anglicare and due for completion in the second half of next year.
- 15 apartments to be delivered in Unanderra late next year in collaboration with Wollongong Emergency Family Housing Inc.
- 5 social housing apartments in a block of 16 in South Grafton to be developed by North Coast Community Housing.
To date, the government has contributed $20.1 million to deliver 73 homes.
