The Albanese Labor Government is committed to ending violence against women and children and ensuring they have a safe place to go when escaping violence.
The Government has today officially opened the Safe Places Inclusion Round grant opportunity, as part our ongoing commitment.
The Safe Places Emergency Accommodation program funds the renovation, building and purchase of new crisis or emergency accommodation to support women and children experiencing family and domestic violence.
The Inclusion Round will deliver up to 720 new Safe Places, bringing the total number of safe places to be delivered by the program to around 1480 across Australia.
The round, which will award grant funding of between $500,000 to $8 million (GST exclusive) per grant depending on the scope and complexity of each project, will specifically focus on improving access to appropriate emergency accommodation for First Nations women and children, women and children from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) backgrounds and women and children with disability. This includes those who experience the intersection of racism, ableism and sexism.
The $100 million commitment to the Inclusion Round is part of the Albanese Labor Government’s investment to support the delivery of the National Plan to End Violence against Women and Children 2022-2032 with a strong focus on prevention, early intervention, response and supporting victim-survivors to recover and heal.
This brings the total investment in the program to $172 million, which will fund projects through to 2026-27.
Widespread consultation has been conducted on developing the guidelines for the Inclusion Round to maximise opportunities for the specific target groups. Consultation was conducted with 145 organisations and individuals. Among them included national peak bodies and state and territory service organisations across the housing and homelessness and family and domestic violence sectors.
In addition, consultation was held with victim-survivors of family and domestic violence with lived experience of emergency accommodation, in line with the National Plan’s commitment to recognising the value of lived experience in informing appropriate and effective initiatives.
Minister for Social Services Amanda Rishworth said the Inclusion Round would ensure those most vulnerable had a safe place to go when escaping violence.
“All women and children should be able to access a safe space when they need it most,” Minister Rishworth said.
“Our Government is determined to provide more safe places for women and children experiencing family and domestic violence. Particularly for communities who experience the intersection of racism, ableism and sexism.
We know access to safe and secure housing brings with it a sense of stability and security.”
