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The NSW Council of Social Service (NCOSS) has welcomed the significant investments and fast-tracking of initiatives to support the State’s COVID recovery announced by the NSW Government over the last week.

During Anti-Poverty Week (APW), the NSW Government has announced:

  • $426.6 million over four years to expand Core and Cluster to deliver and operate around 75 extra women’s refuges that support women and children escaping DFV.
  • $52.5 million over four years towards the Community Housing Innovation Fund (CHIF) partnership with the community housing sector, to provide approximately 200 sustainable, social and affordable housing dwellings for women experiencing DFV.
  • $5.2 million over four years, for a trial in two districts to provide dedicated supports for accompanied children and young people experiencing or at risk of homelessness, with a focus on children and young people impacted by DFV.
  • $130 million mental health package.
  • $183 million to accelerate the roll out of more social housing properties, including $20 million for new and upgraded social and affordable homes in partnership with Aboriginal CHPs through the Aboriginal Community Housing Investment Fund.

The announcements come as NCOSS has urged the NSW Government to focus on a “Pink Hi-Vis Recovery” and follow the release of a report from Equity Economics highlighting the impact of the pandemic on women in NSW.

The Equity Economics report released this week found:

  • 61 per cent of job losses since May 2021 have been female jobs.
  • The number of people seeking specialist homelessness services who had experienced family and domestic violence increasing by 7.1 per cent in 2020-21, compared to a 3.2 per cent increase in demand for all specialist homelessness services.
  • 4,812 women currently being forced to stay in an unsafe and violent home, or face homelessness - with up to 2,402 women returning to live with a violent partner because of lack of an affordable alternative, and a further 2,410 homeless because they could not find secure and permanent housing after leaving violence.
  • A 9.8 per cent increase in reports of domestic violence to police over June 2019-June 2021.

NCOSS CEO Joanna Quilty said prioritising women’s economic security and investing in social housing was crucial as the State rebuilds.

“Recently released data has highlighted the dire situation facing too many women in NSW,” Ms Quilty said.

“We know the pandemic has worsened the economic security of women in NSW with 61 per cent of job losses since May 2021 being jobs in female dominated industries.

“Additionally, we know that the number of women seeking homeless services who have experienced family violence has increased and reports of domestic violence have increased.

“The NSW Government’s announcements this week are encouraging steps forward in ensuring women are able to access crisis accommodation and DV support.

“This is a great first step, but we need at least 5,000 new homes every year for the next decade so that more women have a pathway out and a safe, secure place to call home.

“By building more social and affordable housing, we can support women fleeing violence and give local communities and the construction industry a much needed boost.”

To access the research, visit www.ncoss.org.au

Download the Media Release Here: Pink Hi-Vis Recovery underway Following Significant Government Investments During Ant-Poverty Week

Media contact: Nick Trainor – 0407 078 138