Community grants increase rental and accommodation assistance for DFV victim-survivors

• 57 Queensland community organisations receive funding to assist DFV victim-survivors with urgent accommodation and housing needs.
• Each organisation received $45,000 as part of the DFV Rent Assist Brokerage Grants program.
• The grants are part of a suite of initiatives being delivered in Queensland through the Family, Domestic and Sexual Violence Responses 2021-27 National Partnership.

Specialist domestic and family violence (DFV) support services have received grant funding to provide increased rental and accommodation assistance to victim-survivors across Queensland.

The DFV Rent Assist Brokerage program delivered over $2.5 million in funding to assist 57 eligible community organisations from Pormpuraaw in the western Cape York Peninsula to Nerang in the south-east.

Each organisation received grants of $45,000 to further assist victim-survivors secure or maintain their accommodation, specifically assisting those most at risk of homelessness due to violence.

Assisted services can include providing rental assistance, addressing past rental debts that could affect future rental applications, addressing repair costs for rental properties damaged by DFV and covering rental arrears to prevent homelessness.

Importantly, service providers have flexibility in the allocation of funding, according to a client's requirements and specific needs, such as acquiring essential household appliances.

Successful community organisations eligible for the grants include the Pormpur Paanthu Aboriginal Corporation, Womens Centre FNQ, the Palm Island Community Company, Caxton Legal Centre Inc. and the Women’s Crisis Support Service Inc.

The grant program forms part of a suite of initiatives delivered in Queensland that are funded through the Family, Domestic and Sexual Violence Responses 2021-27 National Partnership. 

Initiatives align with the Domestic and Family Violence Prevention Strategy: Fourth Action Plan (2022-2026), aimed at providing practical support to address the key issues that place victim-survivors at risk of homelessness or prevent them from accessing safe accommodation.

Learn more about the DFV Rent Assist Brokerage Grants by visiting: www.justice.qld.gov.au/initiatives/dfv-rent-assist-brokerage-grants

Quotes attributable to the Attorney-General and Minister for Justice and Minister for the Prevention of Domestic and Family Violence, Yvette D’Ath:

“Tragically, DFV remains the leading cause of homelessness for women across Australia.

“Our task is to ensure specialist DFV support services in our communities continue to have the funding and support to undertake their effective work and provide safe and ongoing housing options for those in crisis.

“This funding is one part of a broader strategy ensuring victim-survivors and their families can access safe accommodation and receive assistance from other support services.

“I couldn’t be prouder of the DFV support sector in Queensland for their work providing frontline aid to those in need and am pleased at the number of eligible community organisations interacting with the DFV Rent Assist Brokerage program.

“The Miles Government will continue to prioritise strong laws and action against those committing DFV offences, including insidious forms of coercive and financial control, and we are committed to improving housing outcomes for victim-survivors in need.

“Our priority is focused on making sure those who are experiencing violence, and their families, can live safely and in secure environments free of fear.”

Quotes attributable to the Federal Minister for Social Services, Amanda Rishworth:

“The safety of women and children experiencing domestic and family violence is a national priority for the Albanese Labor Government and for me as the Minister with federal responsibility over this important area.

“We know housing is central to personal safety and having access to housing support increases the ability of women and children to escape violent situations.

“This funding is part of our Government’s record investment of $2.3 billion in women’s safety initiatives – that’s the biggest investment by any government in Australian history.

“Leaving a violent relationship is the most dangerous time for victim-survivors and their children. Being able to access support from specialist, culturally informed and local organisations that can respond in a tailored way to an individual’s specific needs is vital for keeping women and children safe.”

ENDS

Media contacts: Cullen Robinson (D'Ath) 0418 170 474

                          Sarah Jones (Rishworth) 0499 863 087