A new ‘meanwhile use’ property in Glenfield is on the way which will offer safe, stable accommodation for 28 women over 55.
It is being made possible thanks to a grant of $446,450 to Women’s Community Shelters.
“Meanwhile use’’ housing and support model provides transitional semi-self-contained accommodation for homeless older women with lower support needs.
The experience of homelessness among older women has grown by almost 40 percent between 2011 and 2021.
The Minns Labor Government is backing practical solutions to homelessness and the housing crisis with more than $16.6 million allocated under the Homelessness Innovation Fund, which includes the above investment in the electorate of Macquarie Fields.
“It’s fantastic to see this NSW Government support delivered to bring about improved homelessness services for the Macquarie Fields electorate,’’ says the Member for Macquarie Fields Anoulack Chanthivong.
“With increases in the number of people sleeping rough across our state, we’re making sure community housing providers are getting more support to drive innovation and reform and ensure more people have a safe roof over their heads at one of the most difficult times in their lives.”
Homelessness Innovation Fund is for short, sharp support for partner organisations that bring good ideas to the table and have a strong track record of supporting people facing homelessness.
In less than a year, it has provided funding for 42 innovative projects, adding 504 additional beds for rough sleepers in NSW.
“We are proud to be opening a safe haven for older women escaping the cycle of domestic and family violence and homelessness,’’ says the CEO of Women’s Community Shelters Annabelle Daniel .
“It takes a village to bring new projects like this to life, and we are proud to be working closely with our project partners Housing All Australians (HAA), Hume Housing, Whiddon, Temple & Webster, Urban Property and the local Glenfield community.
“We thank the NSW Government for embracing our ‘meanwhile use’ housing model as a pragmatic and immediate response to NSW’ housing crisis, and we look forward to opening more of these life-changing homes for older women.”