Victorians impacted by family violence, including those in Hume and Whittlesea, will have better help to find safety and rebuild their lives, with funding from the state government to expand crisis accommodation services.
The government will provide $69.1 million to McAuley House, a community service for women and children who have faced family violence and homelessness.
The funding will help the organisation to build and operate two new refuges, purchase six new crisis accommodation properties and upgrade three existing facilities to boost state-wide refuge and crisis accommodation capacity for up to 40 additional households.
New crisis accommodation will comprise independent residential units, in order to phase out communal refuges and provide victims with privacy while receiving support.
Funding will also be provided to expand accommodation options, as McAuley Community Services for Women and Good Samaritan Inn will provide accommodation for women fleeing family violence, and Berry Street will provide therapeutic accommodation-based support for mothers and young children.
Victorian prevention of family violence minister Gabrielle Williams said the government was rolling out a world class model of crisis accommodation.
“When experiencing family violence, making the decision to leave can be the hardest thing a person will do. We are ensuring families have a safe and supportive place to go when leaving a violent situation.”
