HOUSING Plus has been awarded a $398,500 grant from the Australian Government to provide accommodation to support women and children fleeing domestic violence in Bathurst.
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The grant, which represents about 30 per cent of the building and fit-out costs, will be used to deliver five, one-bedroom emergency accommodation units.
These units are due to open in late 2021 and will provide emergency accommodation places for 62 women and 125 children each year.
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Federal Member for Calare Andrew Gee congratulated Housing Plus on receiving the funding and thanked them for their continued support for victims of domestic violence.
"Everyone has the right to feel safe and secure in their own home, however, home is not a safe place for everyone," he said.
"That's why this initiative is so important because it will ensure that women and children are safe and have the support they need."
The additional accommodation is coming at an important time, as the easing of COVID-19 restrictions has seen an increase in demand for domestic violence support services in the local area.
"The new accommodation will provide a much-needed lifeline and support at this crisis point in people's lives," Mr Gee said.
"Too often domestic violence is viewed as a private matter between husbands, wives and partners, and this is wrong.
"Domestic violence is a crime and we need to be talking about it and shining a light on it."
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Housing Plus CEO David Fisher said the grant would assist in increasing emergency accommodation and provide women and children with additional options should they need to leave an unsafe situation.
"We are delighted to have been selected to provide much needed emergency accommodation across the region and look forward to securing the remaining funding needed and continuing to work collaboratively with partner organisations to support women and children in Bathurst," he said.
The Bathurst emergency accommodation will replicate a core and cluster model of emergency accommodation, with part of the building being transformed into a community hub occupied by Housing Plus' Bathurst-based community services.
The emergency accommodation will be private apartments with tailored accommodation for larger families and victims with a disability.
There will also be space for other local services to co-locate from the building, aiding women's recovery as residents will be able to receive the support they need without leaving the privacy of their apartment.
The grant awarded to Housing Plus is from the Safe Places Emergency Accommodation (Safe Places) Grant Opportunity Program.
