Supported Accommodation and Homelessness Services Shoalhaven Illawarra Ltd (SAHSSI) has opened new crisis accommodation for women and children experiencing domestic violence in the Illawarra. 

SAHSSI, the Illawarra’s leading domestic violence accommodation service, have said that they are thrilled to announce the opening of a new 8-unit apartment complex for women and children escaping domestic violence.  

Funded by the Australian Government Department of Social Services through the Safe Places Emergency Accommodation Program (Safe Places Program), the fully secured complex is gated, with back to base alarm, and CCTV monitoring systems. Each unit is fully self-contained, with its own kitchen, bathroom, balcony, and car space. Shared facilities include laundry, outdoor play area, meeting rooms and common spaces.

Marlowe Richards, a fundraising officer from SAHSSI, joined the Kiama Zonta meeting on August 20 to share her concerns and experiences. “It can cost a woman over $20,000 to escape domestic violence, they often are left with nothing and need to start over again.”

Zonta district 24, is a Kiama charter for the Zonta organisation, advocating for equal human rights. Rita Sullivan, the director of Zonta advocacy, says “Zonta district 24 is very concerned about the rising toll of women who have died this year because of domestic violence.” 

She shares that there is inadequate support for those fleeing from these situations 

“This ranges from inadequate space in refuges, lack of sufficient case workers and carry through of care and support for women and children fleeing violence. We call on the NSW government to increase funding for these support services”

Rita and other Zonta members, alongside these organisations, are raising awareness of the connection between homelessness and domestic violence. “Women stay longer in refuges because they cannot find affordable housing. Women stay longer in abusive relationships because they have nowhere to go.” said Rita. 

Minister for Social Services, Amanda Rishworth said that she is pleased to see this service open following her visit to the project while under construction in April 2024, providing greater support for women and children in the Illawarra. “We know that if a woman has a safe place to go and take her children, she is more likely to take the steps to leave a violent relationship. This accommodation will provide crisis and recovery support for women and children in the Illawarra that have experienced family, domestic or sexual violence which is accessible and delivers quality services to victim-survivors.” 

SAHSSI CEO, Penny Dordoy emphasised the critical need for safe accommodation in the Illawarra: “This accommodation will provide women and children with a safe place to recover that is dignified, private and accessible. We will then work with women to find safe, secure long-term housing where their recovery journey will continue”. 

SAHSSI has been at the forefront of providing safety and housing services to women and children across the Illawarra region for 20 years. This critical infrastructure provides a much-needed addition to the Illawarra’s response to the domestic and family violence crisis we face. We will continue to advocate for the right for women and children to live in their homes and communities without the fear of violence.