The NSW Government is looking to expand the Shared Equity Home Buyer Helper program to include access for victim survivors of domestic and family violence.
A new government taskforce will be established, which will include Domestic Violence NSW (DVNSW), Minister for the Prevention of Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault, Jodie Harrison and Treasurer Daniel Mookhey, to explore ways to improve housing outcomes for domestic violence victim-survivors.
The taskforce will also determine eligibility criteria for the expansion of this program, to be finalised in the coming weeks.
Recommendations from the taskforce will be considered as part of the process for the 2023-24 NSW Budget, which is due to be handed down on Tuesday, 19 September 2023.
Under the current Shared Equity Home Buyer Helper, the NSW Government contributes up to 40 per cent for a new home or up to 30 per cent for an existing home bought by eligible home buyers with a minimum deposit of 2 per cent.
Domestic and family violence is a leading cause of homelessness amongst women.
Last year, there were 33,410 reports of domestic violence related assault incidents recorded by the NSW Police Force.
2022 BOCSAR data also reported that domestic violence rates across NSW have increased at a rate of 3 per cent annually over the past five years.
Read more information on Shared Equity Home Buyer Helper.
Treasurer Daniel Mookhey said:
“The NSW Government is committed to increasing home ownership support for domestic and family violence victim-survivors.
“Expanding the cohorts of the NSW Government’s shared equity program, to include domestic violence victim-survivors will give those affected greater access to the safety and financial security of home ownership sooner.”
“Expanding the shared equity program could support domestic violence victim-survivors looking to retain a home currently co-owned with an ex-partner, those looking to move home or re-enter home ownership.”
Minister for the Prevention of Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Jodie Harrison said:
“Domestic and family violence has become endemic across NSW and the NSW Government is committed to helping victim-survivors experience the safety and security of owning their own home.
“Providing safer housing and greater financial security is an important way the NSW Government can support domestic violence victim-survivors achieve better long-term outcomes.
“This taskforce will explore options to achieve the best outcome for domestic violence victim-survivors when it comes to housing.
“This is one step the NSW Government is taking, in what will be an ongoing path towards making New South Wales a safer place for victim survivors.”
Minister for Finance Courtney Houssos said:
“The shared equity program is an important tool the NSW Government has to advance home ownership and combat the housing crisis.
“This taskforce is a significant step in making domestic violence victim-survivors safer, more secure and providing them with better economic opportunities.
“Revenue NSW will ensure that for domestic violence victim-survivors who wish to access the Shared Equity Scheme the process is simple and sensitive towards their need”
Delia Donovan, CEO of Domestic Violence NSW, said:
“DVNSW welcome the NSW Government announcement of a taskforce to expand eligibility of the Shared Equity Scheme, and look forward to co-chairing with Minister Harrison.
“We know that domestic and family violence impacts people from a wide variety of backgrounds. For victim-survivors who are in a financial position to purchase property, this scheme will make it a little bit easier for them to escape abusive relationships, rebuild their life and have a secure roof over their head.”
