For over forty years, the Women’s Housing Company has been helping women and children on the brink of homelessness, often due to a need to escape domestic violence. As well as providing housing, Women’s Housing Company offer extensive support services to help families rebuild their lives.
For many of the tenants in Women’s Housing Company homes, domestic violence has been a big part of their story. In 2024 alone, they provided homes for 1700 women and children and assisted more than 300 homeless women. Their services emphasise the importance of supportive community, and the social services a person needs to get back on their feet.
“We certainly see ourselves as more than four walls, a floor and a roof,” says community development manager Libby Caskey, on an episode of Helping Hands.
“Yes, we provide the foundations of a home, but [a woman] also needs the community. She needs connection to the support to overcome whatever challenges she has arrived with.”
For Mel, a tenant at the Women’s Housing Company, having that sense of community has been life changing. Mel experienced homelessness after fleeing domestic violence, and says the support of the Women’s Housing Company has been “amazing”.
“Until I moved here, I didn't really feel like I had a lot of connection with the community,” she said. “When you're in the [government] ‘system’, you feel like you're part of a mechanical system. Women’s Housing Company just injected that human element that I didn't even realise at the time I needed.”
For women escaping violence, one of the unseen barriers to safe housing is mental health challenges related to trauma.
“That's where we need to start with supporting them,” says Libby Caskey. “It's not, ‘off you go, jump into a job’… Many of them have experienced incredible traumas… and have had setbacks that they really need extra support to overcome. So, we focus on building up how they see themselves.”
For women who are ready to re-enter the workforce, Women’s Housing Company developed and regularly run the “Purposeful Pathways Program”. Sponsored by Dooleys Lidcombe Catholic Club, this program helps with job search, resumes, interview skills, and self-confidence.
There is also a ten-week finance literacy program which focuses on holistic life skills. Molly Benjamin is the founder and facilitator at the Ladies Finance Club.
“For these women, they might be earning money, learning to manage money, for the very first time,” Molly explains. “They haven't had control over their bank accounts. They might not have had access to a car. They might have had to ask permission before they spend money. So, what we're actually showing them now is they have the power. They have the control.”
The Women’s Housing Company also helps older women who are reaching retirement and are struggling to survive in the private rental market. Whatever a woman is facing, Women's Housing Company works to help them overcome their challenges.
For Mel, the biggest impact of being a Women’s Housing Company tenant is having someone to talk to who genuinely cares.
“They care about all of us… We feel heard… They make you feel like a human being.”
If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence or distress, please call 1800 RESPECT, or Lifeline on 13 11 14.
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