CRISIS HOUSING FOR WOMEN AND CHILDREN ESCAPING VIOLENCE

Ballarat And District Aboriginal Co-op (BADAC) is one of 41 Australian organisations to share in $100 million for new crisis and transitional housing through Albanese Labor Government’s Crisis and Transitional Accommodation Program (CTAP).

BADAC will receive $3.5 million to support transitional housing for women and children impacted by family and domestic violence, and older women at risk of homelessness.

Funded through Labor’s Housing Australia Future Fund, the Program supports the building, remodelling or purchase of new or expanded crisis or transitional accommodation.

The Commonwealth funding will help thousands of women and children across Australia, and is another part of the Albanese Government’s ambitious housing reform agenda.

The Albanese Government is investing nearly 20 times more in crisis and transitional accommodation and programs than the previous Liberal government did in 10 years.

CTAP aligns with the Government’s broader housing and women’s safety agendas, including the National Plan to End Violence against Women and Children 2022-2032, the National Housing Infrastructure Facility and builds on the work of existing emergency and crisis accommodation programs like the Safe Places Emergency Accommodation Program.

Applications were assessed through an open-competitive grants process and all successful projects clearly demonstrated how the projects will meet the needs of women and children and older women at risk of homelessness.

If you or someone you know is experiencing, or at risk of experiencing, domestic, family, or sexual violence, call 1800 737 732, text 0458 737 732 or visit www.1800RESPECT.org.au for online chat and video call services.

Connect with 13YARN Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Crisis Supporters on 13 92 76, available 24/7 from any mobile or pay phone, or visit www.13yarn.org.au No shame, no judgement, safe place to yarn.

Quotes attributable to Member for Ballarat Catherine King:

“Family and domestic violence has an immeasurable impact on women and children and is a scourge on our entire society.

“Having a safe place to go can be the difference between leaving a violent relationship or staying. This project will empower some of the most vulnerable women and children in our community with a safe place to go.

“Karen Heap and the BADAC team do an extraordinary job of providing support to Community throughout our region. I know that this investment will change lives and it will save lives.”

Quotes attributable to BADAC CEO Karen Heap:

“Thanks to Catherine King and the Albanese government, our Aboriginal women and children can now be safe. We will make this housing project culturally strong, with wraparound service support. The project will transform Aboriginal Women and Children’s lives.”

02 April 2025