Women in South Australia impacted by family and domestic violence are set to have access to secure and affordable housing with YWCA’s new construction project.
Australia’s only national specialist women’s housing provider has today begun a $15.7 million affordable housing development, prioritising women and their families who’ve experienced domestic and family violence, with the construction of 24 new rental homes in the heart of Adelaide.
The greatest cause of homelessness in Australia is family and domestic violence. And according to Homelessness Australia’s latest report, rents have risen by 40 per cent across Australia between April 2020 and March 2023
In South Australia, the demand for homelessness services is growing, with a 7.1 per cent increase in those seeking support in the three months to March 2023. Women and children made up 74 per cent of those needing help at that time.
“Far too many women are finding it increasingly more difficult to secure safe and affordable housing as private rental rates hit record highs and vacancy rates dip to new lows across the nation,” said Charlotte Dillon, YWCA Australia’s General Manager of Community Housing.
“This development will provide safe, stable, affordable, long-term housing for 24 women, including mothers with children, who have experienced family and domestic violence, and provide a foundation to heal.”
Due for completion in 2025, rental apartments are being built on Hutt Street in Adelaide for women on low to moderate incomes for below market rent.
Over the next three years, YWCA plans to provide 30 per cent more tenancies across Victoria, Queensland, Northern Territory and South Australia, equating to an extra 45,000 nights of affordable accommodation for women each year.
Prevention of Family and Domestic Violence Minister Katrine Hildyard says the development on Hutt Street may save lives.
“We don’t ever want women to have to choose between having somewhere to live and being safe,” said Hildyard.
Human Services Minister Nat Cook echoes this sentiment, noting that safe and secure housing will help keep women and children out of unsafe situations.
“These affordable rental homes will be a place for recovery from the trauma and abject fear that is part of the toxicity of domestic and family violence,” said Cook.
“Healing can begin when people know they are finally safe.”