The Albanese Labor Government is securing more transitional housing for women and children escaping family and domestic violence with upgrades underway on 15 transitional homes in the Shoalhaven.

Delivered by SASSI and supported by the Albanese Labor Government’s Housing Australia Future Fund Crisis & Transitional program, the project has received $10.2 million federal funding to purchase and upgrade 15 homes, including six two-bedroom and nine three-bedroom units.

Federal Member for Gilmore Fiona Phillips said the property was well positioned, close to village shops, parks, and schools.

“It’s an ideal location for women and children to restart their lives in a safe and connected environment, with healthcare and community services nearby, a bus stop outside the property and it’s just a short drive into Nowra for major services,” Mrs Phillips said.

“Work will commence on the upgrades next week, and I can’t wait to see the homes finished towards the end of the year.

“These is a critical housing service that will support at least 15 families each year and will also provide specialist domestic and family violence case management throughout their tenancy and beyond.  

“I’m so pleased to support SASSI and the incredible work they do to support vulnerable women and children in our community.”

SASSI CEO Penny Dordoy said wrap-around support services would be coordinated from an onsite office, ensuring residents have ready access to case management, referrals and practical assistance.

“This embedded support model strengthens outcomes by helping women and children not only secure safe housing, but also stabilise their lives and prepare for sustainable, long-term independence,” she said.

“The renovation works will bring the properties up to Livable Housing Silver standards and address necessary remediation to ensure the longevity of the asset, while enhancing safety, accessibility, and security for this vulnerable cohort.”

Each independent, self-contained home has a fully fenced yard for safe play, and the dwellings are pet-friendly, recognising the important role pets play in recovery from trauma.

These homes are some of the 55,000 social and affordable homes the Albanese Labor Government is delivering through its ambitious $45 billion plan to build more homes and make them easier for first home buyers to buy, including:

• Helping more than 700 first home buyers across the South Coast buy their own home under the 5 per cent Deposit Scheme
• Training more tradies through our investments in Free TAFE and $10,000 apprenticeship incentives, including 390 across the South Coast.
• Working with states, territories and industry to remove barriers to building through the National Planning Reform Blueprint, reforms to environmental approvals and a pause and streamlining of the National Construction Code.
• Launching the national Help to Buy shared equity scheme for those most locked out of home ownership.

While there’s still more work to do to fix a housing crisis generations in the making, Mrs Phillips said the Albanese Labor Government was delivering more homes because “more homes means more affordable housing”.

“This is part of our broader plan to build more homes and make Australia’s housing system fairer and more secure for everyone,” she said.

“Our ambitious $45 billion housing plan to build more homes and make them easier to buy, includes targeted investments to expand crisis and transitional housing for those who need it most.”