By Georgia Westgarth
THE City of Casey is home to the largest family violence policing unit, and will soon be home to refuges for women and children escaping abuse.
The Casey region is set to receive eight new homes for women and children seeking a safe haven.
National not-for-profit housing provider, Community Housing Ltd, will provide the homes as part of the State Government’s $50 million ‘Rapid Housing Assistance Fund’.
The funding is part of a ‘housing blitz’ announced by the State Government in response to recommendations made by the Royal Commission into Family Violence.
The housing initiative includes the purchase of 184 social housing properties across the state and up to $1.4 million for head leases of 124 social housing rentals in priority areas.
Community Housing Ltd Victorian manager Shari McPhail said the City of Casey alone had experienced a 65 per cent increase in the number of reported cases of family violence from 2010 to 2014.
“This much-needed funding will provide additional safe, secure and affordable homes for women and their children who have experienced family violence or have become homeless as a result,” Ms McPhail said.
“The properties and will be located in close proximity to public transport and schools to ensure the tenants maintain their links to the local services and community.”
The eight homes are set to be available in Casey by the end of 2016.
Ms McPhail said Community Housing Ltd had obtained funds to secure premises in Latrobe city and East Gippsland.
The housing provider has partnered with Windermere Family Services to provide support and individualised assistance to the tenants.
“Safe and affordable housing is the key to stabilising the lives of those most vulnerable specially women and children, from which they can begin to rebuild their lives,” she said.
