The McGowan Government is delivering on a $1.615 million election commitment to support women and children at risk of homelessness due to family and domestic violence.
Funding for the Safer Pathways Program, to be delivered over four years, is expected to help an additional 187 women and children in need, with the program expanding to cover the Midland and Mirrabooka areas.
The Safer Pathways Program was established specifically to help Department of Communities clients sustain existing tenancies, where family and domestic violence is a primary cause of tenancy issues.
Zonta House Refuge Association provides the service and has been delivering the Safer Pathways Program in the Cannington and Victoria Park catchment areas since 2016.
The program helps women with or without children who are in public housing tenancies or waiting for a public housing allocation, and are experiencing family and domestic violence.
It provides intensive and specialised case management, including safety planning and advice and advocacy on housing and legal rights, so that women can make safe and informed decisions.
As stated by Prevention of Family and Domestic Violence Minister Simone McGurk:
“The last thing women and children impacted by family domestic violence need is to find themselves homeless through no fault of their own.
“The expansion of the Safer Pathways Program to Midland and Mirrabooka will help an additional 187 women and children every year – providing support, information, advice and advocacy to help them stay in their homes.
“Family and domestic violence has a ripple effect right through society. Safer Pathways works to understand the broader issues that have led to someone being at risk of eviction or unable to find accommodation, and provides practical help to those most at risk of homelessness.
“I am proud to deliver this important election commitment, which is part of the State Government’s $126 million investment aimed at preventing family and domestic violence, helping survivors, and holding perpetrators to account.
“I thank the team at Zonta House for their hard work and dedication – they are really turning lives around.”
As stated by Zonta House Refuge Association CEO Kelda Oppermann:
“Zonta House has been providing the Safer Pathways program since 2016 and this valuable State Government funding will ensure it can continue in the years to come.
“Safer Pathways partners with women and families providing practical support, security and advocacy to be, and feel, safer and secure in their homes.
“We remain dedicated to working in collaboration with the community to respond to the needs of victim-survivors and stop family and domestic violence.”
