Funding Secured to Strengthen Specialist Housing Support for Women and Children Experiencing Family Violence
Kara Family Violence Service is pleased to announce that it has secured funding to continue and strengthen its Housing Support Program, with funding commencing on 1 January 2027 and continuing for the next 3.5 years.
Kara is one of four specialist providers selected to deliver the initiative, alongside Refuge Victoria, Haven Home Safe and Good Shepherd Australia New Zealand. This important investment will strengthen support for women and children experiencing family violence and seeking pathways to long-term safety and stability.
Safe and stable housing is fundamental to recovery from family violence. For many victim survivors, securing suitable housing can be one of the most significant challenges they face after leaving violence. Without safe and secure housing, women and children can face ongoing barriers to safety, recovery and rebuilding their lives free from violence.
Through this funding, Kara will continue to provide specialist housing assistance, advocacy and support to victim survivors navigating complex housing systems. The program plays an important role in helping women and children explore housing options, access services, overcome barriers and work towards sustainable housing outcomes.
"Safe and stable housing is fundamental to recovery from family violence. This funding will enable Kara to continue providing specialist housing support that helps women and children move beyond crisis and establish safe, stable futures. We welcome this investment and the opportunity to continue advocating for victim survivors as they navigate complex housing systems and pathways to recovery."
Geraldine Bilston, Chief Executive Officer, Kara Family Violence Service
The funding forms part of a broader Australian Government and Victorian Government investment to expand housing and crisis accommodation options for women and children experiencing family violence.
In announcing the initiative, Minister for Social Services Tanya Plibersek highlighted the importance of supporting victim survivors to move beyond crisis and rebuild their lives, while Victorian Minister for Women Sonya Kilkenny noted the need to strengthen pathways to safe and secure housing for women and children escaping violence.
“Everyone deserves to be safe in their home, but when they're not, they need more than just a roof over their head. They need real support, stability, and security to recover from violence and rebuild their lives."
Tanya Plibersek, Minister for Social Services
This investment recognises that access to safe and stable housing is a critical foundation for safety, recovery and long-term wellbeing.
The investment recognises the critical role housing plays in preventing homelessness, supporting recovery and creating opportunities for victim survivors to establish lives free from violence. By strengthening specialist housing responses, more women and children will be able to access the support they need at a pivotal point in their recovery journey.
Kara welcomes this investment and the opportunity it provides to continue delivering specialist housing support to victim survivors across our service region. We also congratulate Refuge Victoria, Haven Home Safe and Good Shepherd Australia New Zealand on their successful funding outcomes and acknowledge the positive impact this investment will have for women and children across Victoria.
As demand for family violence and housing support services continues to grow, this funding represents an important commitment to helping victim survivors access safety, stability and hope for the future.
For more information, read the Australian Government media release: Expanding crisis accommodation for Victorian women and children.