By Matthew Sims
Maribyrnong women and children seeking crisis accommodation now have the opportunity to access new social housing opportunities.
McAuley Community Services for Women recently opened a newly completed social housing development in Maribyrnong for women and children who have been homeless.
Named Wilma’s Place in honour of Sister of Mercy Wilma Geary who co-founded Mercy Care (now McAuley Care), the development includes 12 apartments including one, two and three-bed apartments, providing modern and accessible accommodation options for households led by women.
McAuley chief executive Jocelyn Bignold said with family violence the largest cause of homelessness across the state, creating accommodation options like Wilma’s Place is more important than ever.
“Wilma’s Place is a very special project for us,” she said.
“It is an exciting addition to the range of accommodation we can offer, expanding beyond crisis and supported accommodation to provide quality long-term homes that enable women and children escaping family violence to settle and thrive.”
The state government supported the development via its $2.7 billion Building Works Stimulus program, while the Lord Mayor’s Charitable Foundation provided an additional $500,000 in funding towards the project.
Last year, 31,019 women and 14,757 children accessed homelessness services in Victoria as a result of family violence.
Available for women and children on the Victorian Housing Register, each apartment has an open plan kitchen and dining area, secure entry and intercom systems, a six-star energy rating and heating and cooling.
Ms Bignold said the development carries on the themes of community service pioneered by the Sisters of Mercy.
“We are delighted to be able to continue the pioneering service the Sisters of Mercy began on this site over three decades ago,” she said.
“Wilma’s Place celebrates their legacy, affording those families most at risk of homelessness the security and stability of their own home as they continue to rebuild their lives.”
