This Design Guide has been developed by Housing Plus in collaboration with Custance Architects. It explores the importance of providing thoughtful and high[1]quality design for those affected by domestic and family violence (DFV) and key factors that need to be considered when new facilities are designed and built, through design that meets their need for dignity, independence, safety and connection. The Design Guide outlines the necessary standards, principles and features that are essential in delivering successful future housing for those affected by DFV and has been developed in collaboration with other key stakeholders with experience in providing DFV accommodation across Australia. The Guide is a work in progress document that will, over time, continue to improve with the feedback and survey work that we intend to continue with local, state, and federal stakeholders.
This design guide has been developed for organisations or individuals involved in developing new or refurbished specialist DFV accommodation in Australia. It is proposed that this guide will be used by community housing providers, government agencies, specialist DFV and homelessness providers, private developers, Architects, Planners and other development professionals. The guide has been developed in such a way that development professionals can apply the design standards and features, included within this guide, to the different state planning policies across Australia.
We are confident this guide will prove a valuable resource in the provision of fit for purpose housing that truly encompasses the diverse requirements of those affected by DFV.
The recent announcement that Housing Plus will be delivering the Together Home program across Bathurst and Cabonne areas of Central West NSW was welcomed by CEO David Fisher. Together Home is a new NSW government initiative aimed at tackling rough sleeping. Those sleeping rough in our communities will be rapidly housed and given on going wrap around support, to help them take the first steps towards breaking the cycle of disadvantage and staying off the streets for good.
Local Member for Bathurst , Paul Toole says “This initiative will change lives for the better, by supporting some of the most vulnerable people in our community on the pathway to independence.”
The program will be delivered in Bathurst by Housing Plus which will lease properties in the private rental market to house people previously sleeping rough.
“The Together Home project will provide people with access to the assistance they need to maintain their tenancy, improve their health and wellbeing and move towards greater community participation,”
Paul Toole, Member for Bathurst
Housing Plus CEO David Fisher said his organization was in a unique position to be able to provide support services, as well as help secure the accommodation.
“As a Homelessness Service Provider, Housing Plus looks forward to working with other providers and volunteer organisations in Bathurst to bring this important service forward as soon as funding is received.” Mr Fisher said.
“We are proud to be providing secure housing and coordinated assistance for people who have been sleeping rough in our community”.
The NSW Government is investing $36 million in Together Home, the largest housing response dedicated to rough sleeping in NSW history.
Mr Toole said the projectwill help hundreds of people across the state break the cycle of homelessness.
“Our housing, homelessness and health providers will be working around the clock in coming months to help people take the first steps towards breaking the cycle of disadvantage and staying off the streets for good.”
The NSW Government has invested more than $70 million to prevent and respond to homelessness during the pandemic, on top of the more than $1 billion invested this financial year in housing and homelessness support.
This year the theme for Homelessness Week (#HW2020) is Everybody Needs a Home and Homelessness Australia is partnering with Everybody’s Home on campaign activities.
Housing Plus provides the homelessness and housing support service to vulnerable people in Orange. In 2019-20, Housing Plus saw 1,390 people seeking homelessness support from their service, 778 of whom were women. 580 people were aged 25-64 years, 372 people who were seeking help have been diagnosed with a mental health condition.
As at 30 June 2020 there are 196 people on the Social Housing waiting list in Orange, with expected waiting time of 5-10 years for a one-bedroom property and 2-5 years for 2,3,4+ bedroom properties.
For those who are at risk of homelessness, the Homelessness and Housing Support Team can assist in a variety of ways.
“As well as providing crisis and transitional housing to people that are already homeless, we aim to prevent homelessness by helping people to sustain their tenancy. This is achieved through re-negotiating tenancy agreements, helping to put repayment plans in place, assisting with property care and linking people with services that can assist them with a range of social, welfare and legal needs.”
Penny Dordoy, Head of Community Service, Housing Plus
The recent announcement that Housing Plus will be delivering the Together Home program across Bathurst and Cabonne areas of Central West NSW was welcomed by CEO David Fisher. Together Home is a new NSW government initiative aimed at tackling rough sleeping. Those sleeping rough in our communities will be rapidly housed and given on going wrap around support, to help them take the first steps towards breaking the cycle of disadvantage and staying off the streets for good.
“As a Homelessness Service Provider and Community Housing Provider Housing Plus looks forward to working with other providers and volunteer organisations in our communities to bring this important service forward. We have received funding to provide 10 properties and support services.”
David Fisher, CEO Housing Plus
“We are proud to be providing secure housing and coordinated support assistance for people who have been sleeping rough in our community”.
Housing Plus will be supporting Everybody’s Home email the treasurer action to be launched on August 3, to build pressure on the Treasurer to include social housing investment in the Budget, we will be promoting this via our Facebook page for members of the community that would like to support this action.
David Fisher, Housing Plus, CEO, said he hopes to use the opportunity during Homelessness Week to talk with the leaders of our community about the issues that are driving homelessness in Orange, in particular how the housing affordability crisis has created a dire shortage of affordable options for people on very low incomes.
White Tie Ball – Raising funds to build The Orchard
On Saturday 16th May Housing Plus and the Australian Community Media will again be hosting the White Tie Ball. This year we are raising money to complete the fit out of the communal areas that are being built.
In 2019, Housing Plus and event partners ACM hosted the White Tie Ball and together we raised $60,000 to go towards the construction of The Orchard, a crisis centre in Orange for women and children escaping domestic violence.
The event will be held at the Orange Ex-Services Club commencing at 6pm and will include a 3-course meal, live charity auction, raffles and entertainment by Gabe Music.
Tickets for the White Tie Ball will be on sale from Wednesday 18th March and can be purchased online from the Orange Ex-Services Club https://oesc.com.au/shows/
Tickets are priced at $110 you can make bookings as individuals or you can organise a table of 8.
“We are very excited to be holding the White Tie Ball for the 4th year, this is a fabulous event, arguably the most elegant ball in Orange, we encourage everyone to purchase their tickets as soon as possible, last year we were sold out within 4 weeks of going on sale.” said Julianne Potts, Chair of The Orchard Fundraising Committee.
This year’s Ball is being organised by The Orchard Fundraising Committee, volunteers from the community. Chair, Julianne Potts and committee members Sue Burke, Libby Seaman, Rochelle Monaghan, Lillian Castor, Maree Weir and Bev Williams.
Housing Plus event coordinator, Rochelle Monaghan, says, “We have been fundraising to build The Orchard for over three years, Housing Plus appreciates the generous support of individuals and businesses within the community who have kindly donated items for the fundraising activities over that time. The support for The Orchard within the Orange community is strong and we are proud to be delivering this much needed centre to Orange”
If you are unable to sponsor this event, or attend the ball, there are other ways you can show your support for The Orchard. You could hold a workplace fundraiser, a lunch, morning tea or client event, or make an online donation by following this link: just setting up the link
If you are interested in becoming a sponsor for the White Tie Ball or would like to make a donation, contact Rochelle on 1800 603 300 or email rochelle@housingplus.com.au
ENDS
Please note sponsors listed below if possible
Photo opportunity
Photo Call sent out along with Media Release.
Official Launch of the 2020 White Tie Ball
WHAT: The White Tie Ball is hosted by Housing and is the annual charity ball to raise funds to build The Orchard, a women and children’s domestic violence crisis centre in Orange
WHEN: Monday 16th March 2020 10.30am – 11.30am
WHERE: Orange Ex-Services Club, Greenhouse Wine Bar – entry via Club reception
WHO: Representatives from Housing Plus, the Crisis Centre Community Committee and sponsors for the 2020 White Tie Ball
For further media information contact: Rochelle Monaghan: Marketing and Events Coordinator on 1800 603 300 or 0419 960 710 or email rochelle@housingplus.com.au
The Orchard Update
Renascent are on track to hand over the keys to The Orchard in July.
We will then take 1-2 months to complete the fit out and we should be fully operational by October this year. Or hopefully earlier!
Fundraising continues for the fit out. We will be purchasing everything that we need to make welcoming homes for the women and children that come to stay with us.
With World Homelessness Day on 10 October highlighting a serious international problem, Housing Plus CEO Karen Andrew says locally, there are more homeless people than many would realise.
“What some people may not know is that homelessness can be hidden,” Ms Andrews said. “It affects a broad range of the community and it’s not just people living on the streets or in their car. It’s teenagers who are couch surfing and families living together in overcrowded situations.
“It also includes those living in refuges and short term accommodation similar to that offered through the Housing Plus Homelessness Service.”
The 2011 ABS Census revealed that in Orange alone, 346 people were homeless which included those living in temporary lodging, improvised dwellings such as tents, but also crowded dwellings and caravan parks.
“We expect this number, and those across the region, will have increased significantly in next years’ Census,” Ms Andrew said.
Housing Plus has operated in Bathurst, Mudgee, Orange and surrounding districts for the past 30 years, providing crisis, transitional, social and, affordable housing and support services to various vulnerable groups in our community including young person’s unable to live at home for a variety of reasons, and women and children escaping domestic violence.
“One of the major issues of homelessness is insufficient crisis accommodation and support to meet the needs of the homeless and people can be displaced because they need support that often isn’t available in small rural and regional communities. Housing Plus offers services in partnership with other agencies to these areas where possible, but often, people are forced to move their families away from their community to access services.”
“There are numerous reasons why community members may be affected by homelessness, one of which, we are seeing is an increase in cases of domestic violence and there is a serious need for crisis accommodation.”
This Friday, Housing Plus has invited specific State, Federal and Local Government Representatives and non-Government organisations to attend a roundtable discussion regarding the issues of homelessness and domestic violence. Ms Andrew said, “As a community, we have a responsibility to ensure we support those most vulnerable in our community”.
