With 20 new affordable housing units under construction at Newport, women and children escaping family violence, and women aged more than 55 on low incomes, may finally get some rental relief.
The units have been funded from a $5.5million grant awarded by the Victorian Property Fund to Women’s Housing Limited (WHL), a not-for-profit agency that provides low cost housing to women at risk of homelessness.
WHL chief executive Judy Line said there is an acute shortage of community and public housing, particularly for older people.
“Say, for women who live in an area like this … they retire; if they’re in rental accommodation, they can’t afford to rent around here on a pension,” Ms Line said.
“More and more people are being forced out of the areas where they’ve spent their whole working lives.”
There will be nine one-bedroom and 11 two-bedroom units built, with women charged up to 75 per cent of market rentals or 30 per cent of their household income.
Ms Line said for many women, leaving family violence meant going straight into poverty.
“There are many reasons as to why women stay in violent relationships, but the key reason is the affordability issue, being able to leave.”
All tenants will come from public housing waiting lists. Among them are Gail and her adult daughter Maddison, who have been having trouble making ends meet.
“It helps us get on our feet,” Gail said.
“Rental in Melbourne is extremely tight and high.
“It’s just my daughter and myself, so we watch every cent.”
Consumer Affairs Minister Marlene Kairouz last Wednesday turned the first sod at the site of the new units.
“We’re working to make a significant difference in the lives of women … by providing affordable, long-term housing in an area close to services and job opportunities,” she said.
fleeing family violence
