Women’s Housing
All women have the right to safe, secure, affordable housing choices.
Women’s Housing Limited (WHL) is a statewide not for profit organisation that provides low costs housing to women at risk of homelessness. Women and their children make up an increasingly large percentage of those in need of affordable housing. Those groups that are likely to experience housing stress include older women over 55 and women who are forced to leave their home because of family violence.
Since becoming a Housing Association, WHL has significantly expanded and diversified it’s housing portfolio and housing development capacity. WHL has both the capacity and experience to deliver large-scale housing projects aimed at meeting the ever-growing demand. WHL will continue to advocate for the housing needs of women and children and contribute to the growth of affordable housing stock.
WHL also provide additional services including: Intake and assessment services for homeless women
Distributing Housing Establishment Funds to assist women experiencing a housing crisis
Housing assistance and referral to women exiting prison
Since our establishment in 1997, we’ve been listening to and validating women’s experiences, and acting as their voice in the housing sector.
Want To Make A Donation
Please click on the Make a Donation logo to donate to Women’s Housing Ltd through the Give Now website.
Quick Links
What’s New at Harvest Square
On 25 October 2023, Anthony Cianflone MP, State Labor Member for Pascoe Vale, Coburg and parts of Brunswick West visited the Harvest Square public housing redevelopment site. Women’s Housing Ltd will be managing 111 units on the site as part of an agreement with Homes Victoria. In addition Women’s Housing Ltd will purchase 8 units from AV Jennings taking the total number of dwellings to 119. Anthony Cianflone MP continues to show his support for Women’s Housing Ltd and the development of social and community housing for women in Victorian Parliament.
Big Housing Build Progress
As part of the Victorian State Government’s “Big Housing Build”, the first round of funding from Homes Victoria saw a total of $738 million invested in 89 projects across the state. WHL was successful in winning funding for 309 new social housing dwellings spread over 13 projects, and work on the projects is progressing.
The dwellings are designed to house women and children in need of a safe place to call home, and will target women and children escaping domestic violence and older women, with 10% of the new homes allocated to Aboriginal Victorians. It’s anticipated that some very happy new tenants will be given the keys to their homes by the end of 2023.
Reconciliation Action Plan
WHL are proud to announce the creation of our Innovate Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP). This RAP reaffirms our dedication to reconciliation and commitment to providing culturally safe services to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples. WHL undertook extensive collaboration and consultation in development of this document and are thankful to all persons that contributed along the way.
The finalisation of the RAP marks the beginning of a larger journey of implementing change in a way that is tangible, transparent and meaningful. We embrace the Uluru Statement from the Heart and will ensure it remains central in implementing our cultural safety goals. WHL encourage you to download and read our RAP and welcome any feedback from our clients and renters. All artwork featured in the RAP was created by Reanna Bono of Yakuwa Designs (Wemba Wemba and Wiradjuri). Reanna’s artwork celebrates women and their connection to country and ancestors. Information about an official launch will be available in time.
Churchill Fellowship Report
WHL is pleased to announce that after much hard work Adam Sandford, WHL’s Asset and Development Manager, has had his Churchill Fellowship report published. Adam undertook to study indigenous housing, home ownership and support models.
The key focus was on various programs currently and formerly available in Canada. The aim was to follow the progress of one of the world’s largest First Nations populations, in a country that shares not only similar systems of Government and housing strategies, but a similar history of treatment of their indigenous cultures. Adam looked at successful and unsuccessful programs to gain insights and to develop an understanding of the impact to First Nation groups.
“My hope is to bring cultural appropriate services to the forefront of everything we do.”
To read the report please click here.
