NO WHERE TO GO: THE BENEFITS OF PROVIDING LONG-TERM SOCIAL HOUSING TO WOMEN THAT HAVE EXPERIENCED DOMESTIC AND FAMILY VIOLENCE JULY 2021

Abstract

AS THE AUSTRALIAN GOVERNMENT PREPARES TO CONVENE THE NATIONAL WOMEN’S SAFETY SUMMIT, ANALYSIS BY EQUITY ECONOMICS FINDS:

Family and domestic violence is the primary reason women and children seek specialist homelessness services, but only 3.2% are currently receiving the long-term housing solutions they need.

Family and domestic violence is the leading cause of homelessness for women and children.

Comparing March 2020 and March 2021 there was a 5.9% increase in the number of women seeking specialist homelessness services that had experienced domestic violence, compared to a 0.4% decrease across all other client groups read more of the findings by clicking on the link below.

Stable housing is critical for women to build a safe life, as it promotes both safety and wellbeing, including for children.

While ideally when situations of family and domestic violence arise women would be able to stay in their homes, and perpetrators would be removed, the reality is that many women need to leave their home to find safety.

Equity Economics estimates that building 16,810 social housing units and reducing the number of women that experience homelessness after leaving a violent partner by 9,100 would produce a benefit of $244 million in a single year