MORE than $1 million will be spent to protect women and children in Whittlesea from family violence and homelessness.
The project aims to prevent problems such as substance abuse or domestic violence that force women and children to leave the family home.
Whittlesea, which has the highest rate of domestic violence in the northern suburbs, will get $1,043,922 under the state government’s ‘‘Families at Home’’ pilot project.
Traditionally, family violence and homeless program professionals respond to a family in crisis by providing short-term or transitional accommodation. This project aims to step in early and prevent women and children from becoming homeless. It will provide a range of services by family and child service provider Kildonan Uniting Care, housing agency HomeGround and women’s refuge service Salvation Army Crossroads through Kildonan’s Epping centre.
‘‘The agencies will operate as a one-stop hub model, providing a range of co-ordinated services including drug and alcohol counselling, mental health support and legal services,’’ said Kildonan’s chief executive Stella Avramopoulos.
‘‘It is an amazing collaboration that will directly and proactively address family violence and homelessness in the City of Whittlesea.
“Where many homelessness programs are unable to respond to the community need until the family is out of the home, this approach has the opportunity to become involved while the family is still in their home. Families will get access to a care team with a key case manager that will help them access a range of supports. Families at Home will respond to each family’s unique needs.’’
Housing Minister Wendy Lovell said the program had a strong emphasis on early intervention where professionals could work with a whole family to create household, family and relationship stability.
Northern Metropolitan MLC Craig Ondarchie said the project ‘‘will make a big difference to the families who need help the most’’.
Whittlesea council’s family and youth manager Mary Agostino welcomed the initiative. “This funding will go some way in supporting families. Council’s health and family services teams look forward to working with these agencies to ensure better outcomes for our community,” she said.
