- 230 domestic violence and homelessness organisations have signed a joint statement
- Safe housing is being overlooked a the National Women's Safety Summit
- Safe and affordable housing is essential to keeping women safe according to Everybody's Home spokesperson
Organisations working on the frontline of domestic violence and homelessness are calling for government commitment to social and affordable housing, as the National Women’s Safety Summit launches today.
Concerns for the lack of government action to provide safe accommodation is highlighted in a joint statement signed by more than 230 organisations working on domestic violence and homelessness.
The Statement on Housing for Women’s Safety suggests that the failure to put housing for women’s safety on the program at the summit highlights the lack of focus on this critical issue.
The joint statement was organised by Everybody’s Home, a national campaign against the homeless.
Everybody’s Home spokesperson, Kate Colvin explained that women and children in danger need a safe haven.
“You simply can’t talk about women’s safety without talking about safe and affordable homes.”
Kate Colvin, Everybody’s Home spokesperson
7,690 women return to perpetrators of family violence due to having no place to live annually, according to Everybody’s Home.
Highlighting the importance of housing, 9,120 on the other hand women fall into homelessness after leaving homes due to domestic and family violence every year.
“Thousands of women across Australia are currently having to choose between staying in a violent home and homelessness. That is unacceptable,” Ms Colvin said
Housing for Women’s Safety Summit
Everybody’s Home held a special online event this morning prior to the commencement of the official Women’s Safety Summit.
This event was focused on the importance of housing and women’s safety.
“Rents in Australia are so high, that it is almost impossible for women on lower incomes to find a home to rent that they can afford,” Ms Colvin said, presenting the event.
Calls for Federal Government action
The government has been called on to set a target date to end the homelessness of women and children escaping violence.
Additionally, the joint statement called for investment into an adequate supply of social and affordable housing.
Thirdly, the statement called for social security to be fixed, helping protect women and children from poverty and violence.
In Australia, 39,000 people approach homelessness services in need of long term housing after escaping domestic violence, 37,867 of these miss out.
Minister for Foreign Affairs and Minister for Women Senator the Hon. Marise Payne said that while everyone has the right to safety, equality and respect in our society, this is “tragically” not the experience of all.
“Through the National Summit on Women’s Safety 2021, we have an opportunity to shine a light on the violence that women from all walks of life experience in the shadows and behind closed doors, and to create real change and genuine advances for women and girls.”
Senator Marise Payne
Everybody’s Home believes safe and affordable homes is critical to this real change.
