Family violence support

SUSTAINABLE HOUSING OPTIONS FOR WOMEN

Women's Health West hosts a range of services for women and children in the Western Metropolitan Region affected by family and domestic violence. Contact us via email or on the numbers below for information and referral to a wide range of services.

Women's Health West is part of a pilot program that aims to create sustainable housing options for women affected by family violence, and to provide early intervention to prevent women, with or without children, from becoming homeless due to family violence. The program is currently funded until 30 June 2005, and an evaluation is now underway.

The program incorporates two major components:

Housing Options for Women

The 'Housing Options for Women' aspect of this program works with women to help them find a housing option that suits them, for example by liaising with housing agencies and real estate agents. We can also provide referral to other health or community service providers and advocacy, for example with negotiating about rent in arrears, or to help women obtain public housing or private rental.

You may be eligible for assistance from Housing Options for Women if:

You have recently left a situation of family violence;
You are not currently in crisis due to family violence; and
You do not spend more than 50% of your income on rent.

Private Rental Brokerage

The Private Rental Brokerage program aims to help women locate and maintain private rental housing in the Western Region. The scheme includes a limited rental subsidy, along with information and referral to obtain supports needed to ensure women are able to maintain their rental once the subsidy finishes. You may be eligible for assistance from the Private Rental Brokerage Program if you fit the above criteria, and are able to sustain private rental in the medium to long term.

HOW TO CONTACT THESE PROGRAMS

You can contact Women's Health West at any time for information and referral to these programs and a range of other support services.

Send us a confidential email.
Call us for information and referral during business hours on 9689 9588.
If you need support outside business hours, call 9373 0123 or 1800 015 188.
If you need an interpreter, first call the Telephone Interpreter Service (24 hours) on 131 450. They will connect you with the service you want

FIND OUT MORE about specific services to which Women's Health West can refer women and children affected by family violence.

FIND OUT MORE about other services available in the Western Region and beyond through our Community Directory.