H OMELESSNESS A CTION P LAN Domestic Violence Support Pilot Project Illawarra and Shoalhaven

In January 2010 The Wollongong Women’s Refuge was selected to manage the Domestic Violence Support Program Pilot.

The pilot targets single women and women with children escaping violence and covers the four Local Government Areas: Wollongong, Shellharbour, Kiama and Shoalhaven.

This project is an opportunity to: expand the region’s capacity to support woman and children outside of refuges and transitional accommodation. Improve collaboration with a range of government and non-government agencies

Key components of the project Start Safely Subsidy Social Housing tenancies Integrated case management support services, including specialist DV and homelessness services; case management, health, education, training and employment, brokerage, pregnancy and parenting support, financial counselling, child support workers and legal advice Partnerships with private housing sector to increase pathways into private accommodation

Key strategies 1.Coordination: Wollongong Women’s Refuge is responsible for maintaining the prbudget and for coordinating partner agencies to implement coordinated case management, joint service planning, data collection and administration 2.Brokerage: brokerage packages are available to support case plans, managed by support agencies, for identified clients. The agency applying for the brokerage packages is responsible for case coordination. Brokerage enables access to services that are otherwise unavailable and supports sustainable long term outcomes.

Who is eligible to apply for a support package? A client is eligible for the project if she: Is approved by Housing NSW for priority social housing; or Is approved by Housing NSW for Start Safely Subsidy; and Is escaping domestic violence Has a service provider able to develop and manage her case plan over twelve months Cannot be helped through alternative funding Would have difficulty obtaining and sustaining a tenancy without support Requires interagency collaboration and intensive support beyond the core business of existing services.

What is a Social Housing Package and who is eligible? A Social Housing Package provides up to 12 months support with a maximum of $4, in brokerage up to a total value of $23,800 plus gst. Women escaping domestic violence who have been approved for Priority Housing are eligible. There are 3 social housing support packages available in the Shoalhaven and 7 in the Illawarra each calendar year.

What is a Start Safely Package and who is eligible? A Start Safely Package provides up to 12 months support with a maximum of $1, in brokerage up to a total value of $9,980 plus gst. Women escaping domestic violence who have been approved for the Start Safely Subsidy by Housing NSW are eligible. There are 6 start safely support packages available in the Shoalhaven and 14 in the Illawarra each calendar year.

Who approves support packages? Client acceptance into the program is determined by Project Coordinator following initial assessment, according to the project’s eligibility criteria, and approved in the priority they are received. The client selects a service provider, and if they are able to assist, the client will receive a letter advising them of their acceptance into the program and confirming their service provider. The service provider submits a budget and case plan to the Project Coordinator. A Contract for Service is sent to the Service Provider and the support package is activated.

For more information contact: Lesley Labka HAP Coordinator Wollongong Women’s Refuge or