New housing a sanctuary for family violence survivors

HAVEN Home Safe and crisis support provider Annie North recently hosted Member for Bendigo West Maree Edwards in a tour of a new housing development delivering eight safe and secure homes for women and women with children who are survivors of family violence.

Ms Edwards saw first-hand the development work achieved in partnership with Homes Victoria through the Building Works Stimulus (BWS).

With a shared garden and play area, the properties are centred around fostering a community where residents feel safe to socialise and embrace community living.

Renters are supported by Annie North and their tenancy is supported by Haven Home Safe.

The approach is said to be designed to give people the tools they need for a fresh start and begin confidently living independently.

Haven Home Safe CEO Trudi Ray said her organisation works on the realisation that community housing delivers “more than four walls and a roof”.

“Removing the stress and weight that accompanies living in crisis allows people to focus on other aspects of enhancing their lives – community, social connections, family, employment, study or health, and wellbeing,” she said.

“At Haven Home Safe (we’re) pleased to show up and deliver high-quality housing for people in Bendigo and we will continue to advocate for more well-thought-out social and affordable (homes) to be built for those who need it most.”

The $528 million BWS program was announced in 2020 and aims to accelerate maintenance, upgrades and creation of new social housing.