This program provides a rental pathway for women and women with children who have experienced family violence. Its is delivered in Victoria’s Barwon and Metro regions.
The program supports clients to move from temporary, emergency or refuge accommodation into a private rental property.
The Exit Pathways Program is designed to support women who are:
– living in Victoria’s Barwon or Metro region
– already connected with a support worker who will stay involved for the whole tenancy and have ongoing support from a specialist family violence support service
– not currently in crisis but have experienced family violence and are at low risk of further family violence
– unable to return safely to previous housing
– are ready to exit refuge, crisis accommodation or transitional housing (for victim survivors) and no longer need the safety measures offered by this style of accommodation
– assessed as likely to have the financial capacity to independently pay rent on a private rental property within 12-18 months
– mentally and emotionally ready to plan and address their future needs.
How does the program work?
Haven Home Safe will rent private rental properties on behalf of clients and then sub-lease these on to approved applicants (known as head-leasing).
Approved applicants will receive rent subsidies for a period of up to 18 months, allowing them to build their financial resilience.
Local family violence women’s services will provide wrap-around support during this time.
Available for up to 18 months, the Exit Pathways Program supports clients to:
– stabilise their situation
– establish a successful rental history
– develop skills to maintain a home and pay for ongoing living expenses
– find employment or engage in education/training – full–time or part time
– at the end of the program clients may choose to independently take on the lease of the property, paying the full rental cost (subject to approval from the owner/agent).
Next steps for approved applicants
Once a person is approved, they will be assisted to find a rental property that is affordable for them.
Haven Home Safe (HHS) will then lease the property from the landlord (head-lease) and sub-lease it back to the client. Clients will be required to sign a lease with HHS and pay rent for the duration of this tenancy.
Subsidised bond and rents will be available to approved applicants for up to 18 months.
Frequently asked questions
What is an affordable property?
An ‘affordable property’ means that the client will not be paying more than 30% of their income on rent. The Exit Pathways rental subsidy will only be approved on a property that is considered affordable and within financial means.
Is there an income test?
Yes. Income will include any Commonwealth Rental Assistance (CRA), even if clients have not yet applied for or receive this from income support. This does not apply if the client isn’t eligible for CRA (i.e. earns too much).
Is there an assets test?
Clients can receive the subsidy if they have assets but cannot access them in the short to medium term because of circumstances beyond their control. For example, they might have an interest in a family home but the family court has ordered that the property cannot be sold pending court proceedings.
How to access support through the Exit Pathways Program
Local organisations can refer eligible clients.
Clients will need to complete a referral form with their support agency.
Referrals will be assessed to determine if the Exit Pathways Program is suitable for the applicant.
To learn more or submit a referral:
Email: exitpathways@hhs.org.au
Phone: 1300 428 364
When Alice* was referred to the Exit Pathways Program (EPP) she was living in a women’s refuge with her young child and newborn baby. She had escaped a 13 year-long environment of family violence.