What we do
The Communities@Work Women's Housing Program receives funding under the national Affordable Housing Agreement (NAHA), which is jointly funded by the ACT and Australian governments. We provide safe, transitional, supported accommodation for women, with or without children, escaping domestic violence situations. We also provide outreach support to women on our waiting list.
Who is it for?
To be eligible for this program women (with or without children) must be:
- Aged 18 or above
- Escaping domestic violence
- In need of support to rebuild their lives after domestic violence
- Self-managing (able to look after themselves and their children and undertake daily tasks such as shopping, housework, paying bills, getting their children to school)
- Have a commitment to obtaining permanent housing.
What do you mean by medium to long-term?
Women and children can stay in our houses up to a maximum of 18 months.
Will my children and I be living with another family?
No, each family is allocated their own house.
How can I access Women's Housing?
Contact Us directly or someone else can do so on your behalf. This may be your doctor, school counsellor, work colleague, staff in a refuge or a friend.
How much does it cost?
If you become a tenant in one of our houses, your Occupancy Agreement will require you to pay 25% of your total gross income in rent. "Total income" includes Centrelink payments and/or other income you may be receiving, eg from paid work or child support payments. A security deposit the equivalent of two week's rent is required upon entering the Program, however, a payment plan can be negotiated and inability to pay the security deposit up-front does not put eligibility at risk. We also ask $25.00 per fortnight to be put towards our service.
What does Supported Accommodation mean?
As one of our occupants, you agree to participate in an individual plan of action put together by you with the help of a Support Worker. You will meet regularly to sort out what to do to achieve your goals, including the major goal of moving on from the Program to your own long term housing.
What is outreach support?
If you are eligible for the program but no houses are available, the support workers will talk to you about your immediate support needs. While you are on the waiting list they may be able to provide you with support similar to support you would receive if accommodated by the program. This can help give you and your family a head start whilst waiting for housing. In addition, when you have achieved your goal of housing for the long term, after being housed by us, a Support Worker can provide support to help you settle into your community and to put you in touch with useful services.
What does a "Safe House" mean?
For the safety of everyone involved, you must keep the location of your house confidential. You must not allow any person who has been responsible for domestic violence know the address of the house and they cannot visit or stay as a guest in the house.
Where do I find Emergency Accommodation?
Women's Housing Program does not provide emergency accommodation. A register of available emergency accommodation is held by Canberra Emergency Accommodation Service (CEAS) at Lifeline and Domestic Violence Crisis Service (DVCS). These services are available 24 hours, 7 days per week and can also provide emotional support and counselling, as well as referrals to services.
CEAS at Lifeline phone: 6257 2333
Visit http://www.lifeline.org.au/ for more information.
DVCS phone: 6280 0900
Visit http://www.dvcs.org.au/ for more information.
Staff at Women's Housing Program are available during work hours on week days. We can also provide information and referral to other services.
Useful Information and Links
Below is link to a library of references that you may find useful.
Contact us
Communities@Work
Women's Housing
Ph: 6126 9017 or 6126 9021
Email: womenshousing@commsatwork.org