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The Real Estate Institute of Western Australia (REIWA) has taken the lead in a new partnership to spearhead a program that provides a helping hand for victims of family and domestic violence, offering them a chance to “make a fresh start”.
On 23 March, the institute shared the launch of its Safe Home, Safe Family: Rapid ReHousing program, which looks to provide a “safe haven for vulnerable women and children seeking shelter and stability” by connecting them with “socially conscious landlords.”
Developed in partnership with Zonta House Refuge Association, the initiative expands on the institution’s current work to aid vulnerable tenants transition from crisis accommodation to private rental housing through its Community REInvest Tenancy Training program.
With family and domestic violence (FDV) identified as the leading cause of homelessness among women and children, the program will provide victims/survivors with access to “safe and stable long-term accommodation” in a private rental tenancy, which REIWA emphasised is a “key step to rebuilding their lives”.
Separate data from the Council to Homeless Persons showed women who have experienced family and domestic violence are the biggest client group seeking assistance from specialist homelessness services.
From 2020 to 2021, national homelessness services assisted 116,200 individuals, with 93 per cent of clients who experienced domestic violence being women or children.
While the Rapid ReHousing program has committed to rehousing 40 women and their children, it has already received applications from 29 women before its official launch.
Zonta House Team Leader Kombe Musonda stated that the program aims to expand and help even more families.
REIWA deputy president Suzanne Brown highlighted that property managers are in the “unique position” of being able to directly connect vulnerable tenants with landlords who are committed to their social responsibility.
“Tenants that have come to us from rehousing programs have turned out to be fantastic tenants, grateful for the opportunity to change their lives.
“Meanwhile, our landlords have thanked us for showing them how an investment property can be rewarding in the social sense, not just financially. I urge you to speak to your landlords and join this program, as more PMs are needed than ever before, as the rental crisis continues,” she said.
Sabine Winton, the Minister for Prevention of Family and Domestic Violence, emphasised during the launch event that transitioning women and children out of emergency accommodation is crucial for rebuilding their lives, while also serving refugees and other victim survivors who need crisis accommodation.
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