The number of Victorian women seeking homelessness assistance due to family violence has increased 70 per cent over the last four years, new Council to Homeless Persons data has revealed.
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Ballarat homelessness and family violence services say the statewide statistic is in line with the increasing demand for support in Ballarat.
Child and Family Services (CAFS) Ballarat program manager family violence services Sharon Fecteau told The Courier 75 to 80 per cent of families in contact with the organisation were experiencing or had previously experienced family violence.
We’ve had a tidal wave of new people needing help, but we haven’t seen a tidal wave of low-cost housing or funding.
- Jenny Smith, Council to Homeless Persons
New Council to Homeless Persons data shows 25,755 women aged 15 and older approached homelessness services due to family violence in 2016-17, up from 15,090 in 2012-13.
Council to Homeless Persons noted increased reporting of family violence and a shortage of affordable housing, both private and public, has caused the significant increase.
Chief executive Jenny Smith said the figures provided an understanding of the scale of the problem the homelessness sector was facing.
“We’ve had a tidal wave of new people needing help, but we haven’t seen a tidal wave of low-cost housing or funding. There certainly hasn’t been a 70 per cent increase in social housing built over the past four years,” she said.
The Council to Homeless Persons is calling for the re-elected Labor government to prioritise an increased supply of social housing for people on low incomes.
The rental vacancy rate in Ballarat fell to 0.8 per cent in October, the lowest regional rate in the state.The median weekly rental cost for a house is $300 and $250 for a unit.
Social welfare workers say demand for social housing far outstrips supply in Ballarat.
CAFS program manager housing said domestic violence victims who can’t maintain or find affordable housing either relocate or share accommodation with friends, often described as ‘couch surfing’.
“When women do make the decision to leave, the support needs to be there for them,” she said.
“Insecurity makes it difficult for education for children, it puts women’s employment at risk and many can face food insecurity.”
The release of the Council to Homeless Persons data follows a focus on family violence on White Ribbon Day and the International Day for Elimination of Violence Against Women on Sunday.
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