Haven Home Safe has welcomed key partners to celebrate the opening of the completed Safe Places Development which will provide much-needed housing for women and children who have experienced family violence.
The development was made possible thanks to funding support from the Australian Government – The Treasury through the Treasury’s Safe Places grants. Federal Member for Bendigo, Lisa Chesters attended the event to cut the ribbon and officially open the properties.
The homes were built by Burbank Urban and designed with renters’ needs front of mind. Each property has been designed to be physically accessible, low-maintenance, environmentally sustainable and energy efficient, helping reduce ongoing costs for renters.
Haven Home Safe contributed the land and oversaw the development process of the properties alongside partner Annie North and the Centre for Non-Violence who provided feedback to ensure the properties would best meet the needs of renters. Accessibility was a key design aspect given the intersection of family violence for women and children with disability and the lack of accessible housing options currently available to them.
Haven Home Safe, Annie North and the Centre for Non-Violence will work together to allocate the homes and support residents as they transition into safe, stable housing. The three, three-bedroom properties will be fully furnished before renters move in, making sure the women and children have everything they need as they begin a new chapter in their lives.
Quotes attributable Federal Member for Bendigo Lisa Chesters MP:
“I would like to congratulate these amazing local organisations for their commitment and collaboration on this vital project.”
“These new Safe Places homes in Bendigo will provide a new beginning for many women and children experiencing family and domestic violence.”
Haven Home Safe Quotes attributable to Trudi Ray, Chief Executive Officer
“It is important to Haven Home Safe that there are affordable and accessible housing options for women and children escaping family violence in regional cities and towns. We’re grateful to the Australian Government – The Treasury through the Treasury’s Safe Places grants for their funding support of this work.”
“These are beautiful, high-quality homes that have been designed with care and consideration for the needs of renters. Each home has 7-star energy rating, solar collection, rainwater tanks as well as energy efficient heating, cooling and hot water, meaning that that renters will have reduced household bills and less financial stress.”
“We’re proud of these properties which are a testament to the power of collaboration. Thank you to all our partners here today who played a role in bringing this project to life.”
Annie North Quotes attributable to Michelle Crawford, Chief Executive Office
“Safe housing is the foundation from which women and children can begin again. For the women, children and young people that Annie North supports, the development of these beautiful properties means safety, dignity and the opportunity to move from crisis toward stability and independence.”
“This is what meaningful collaboration looks like. When government, community housing, and the family violence sector work together in a meaningful way, women, children and young people have a stronger foundation for healing and recovery.”
“At Annie North we know first-hand that too many women, children and young people are still facing impossible choices between violence, homelessness and insecurity. Projects like this show what is possible when true partnerships focus on an investment in safety, dignity and long-term recovery.”
