Domestic and Family Violence and Homelessness
The North Coast rental affordability, and availability of rental properties is among the lowest in the state, giving women and children who need to leave their homes very limited opportunities for new safe beginnings. Momentum Collective, along with partners Clarence River Domestic and Violence Support Services and Women Up North Housing, support over 3,000 women and children accessing our services each year due to not being able to stay safely in their own homes with violent partners or family members.
Chloe* stayed at one of our refuges last year with her two children. When Chloe connected with our services, she said she had stayed in her abusive relationship for over six years as she was too frightened to leave not knowing how she would be able to support her children on her own while they were young and what services she could ask for help from. The thought that her partner might do something to her if she took the children away, was living her up all night.
After a serious attack, Chloe said she knew she had to leave. She called the 24/7 Momentum Collective support line at eleven o’clock at night. Chloe was immediately accommodated and provided safety planning and emergency needs including support to go to the police and health checks.
Chloe and her children flourished at the refuge learning to live their lives again without fear, and all of the supports that were available to them such as free counselling, financial and court supports. The refuge staff provided case management to Chloe and her family to link them in with needed services, also with help to find a new safe home.
Finding a new affordable home was challenging, and an extended stay at the refuge was needed. Chloe viewed and applied for over 10+ properties per week for many months, and expressed feelings of helplessness because she couldn’t obtain a rental, she also sometimes talked about returning to the violent relationship so they wouldn’t be homeless. One great day, she finally heard back from a landlord that offered the family a home and a new start. The refuge staff were able to access financial assistance for the family to have furniture, bond, subsidised rent, and security for the property. The family have had ongoing support and check ins, and have happily been in their new home for over a year and thriving.
If anyone reading this is at risk of, or currently experiencing homelessness due to domestic and family violence, please call Momentum Collective 24/7 line for free support and accommodation on 1300 355 305. More information can also be found here. For 24hr domestic and family violence free counselling, call 1800 RESPECT or access the website here.
*Name has been changed for privacy.
