$5 MILLION BOOST FOR HOUSING AND RECOVERY FOR WOMEN AND CHILDREN ESCAPING VIOLENCE

Member for Port Macquarie, Robert Dwyer has announced that women and children escaping domestic and family violence across the Port Macquarie, Wauchope and Camden Haven region will benefit from a $5 million investment through the NSW Government's Homelessness Innovation Fund, delivering new transitional housing and integrated recovery support.

The project, led by Liberty Domestic and Family Violence Specialist Services in partnership with Community Housing Limited (CHL), will deliver approximately five to eight transitional housing properties while transforming the way recovery and healing services are provided to women and children rebuilding their lives after violence.

Mr Dwyer said the Homelessness Innovation Fund is supporting practical, community-led solutions to address homelessness and improve outcomes for vulnerable people.

"Safe housing is fundamental to helping women and children escape violence and rebuild their lives. This investment will deliver more housing while strengthening the support services that help victim-survivors achieve long-term safety and independence," Mr Dwyer said.

“This project will make a meaningful difference for families across the region. Every woman and child deserves to live free from violence and have access to safe, secure housing when they need it most."

"I'm proud to support this investment, which will strengthen our local response to domestic and family violence and deliver lasting benefits for our community."

"This project is about more than providing accommodation. It creates an opportunity for women and children to recover from trauma, remain connected to their community and build a future free from violence," Mr Dwyer said.

Liberty Domestic and Family Violence Specialist Services Chief Executive Officer, Kelly Lamb said the project represents an important evolution in the delivery of specialist domestic and family violence services.

"Housing is one of the biggest barriers facing women and children escaping violence, but recovery requires more than a safe place to live. Whilst we do have some existing accommodation in place, it is always oversubscribed with an extensive waiting list."

"This project enables us to embed recovery and healing alongside specialist domestic and family violence support, ensuring women and children have the opportunity to heal from trauma, rebuild confidence, strengthen relationships and regain independence."

"Recovery and healing are essential parts of ending the cycle of violence. By investing in recovery, we reduce the risk of ongoing harm, homelessness and intergenerational trauma while creating stronger families and safer communities," Ms Lamb said.

Community Housing Limited Chief Executive Officer….. said the partnership demonstrates the value of bringing together housing and specialist services.

"Community Housing Limited is proud to partner with Liberty to deliver safe, quality transitional housing that provides women and children with stability at one of the most challenging times in their lives."

"Working alongside Liberty's specialist expertise will ensure residents receive not only a home, but the support they need to move towards long-term housing and independence."

The project forms part of the NSW Government's Homelessness Innovation Fund, which supports innovative approaches to reducing homelessness and improving housing outcomes for vulnerable people across the state.

Media Contact: Terry Sara 6584 0977