ALISON BYRNES MP

MEMBER FOR CUNNINGHAM

CAROL BERRY MP

MEMBER FOR WHITLAM

SASSI TO RECEIVE $16.2 MILLION BOOST TO SUPPORT ILLAWARRA WOMEN AND CHILDREN

The Albanese Labor Government is delivering more safe and secure homes for vulnerable women and children across the Illawarra.

Through the Housing Australia Future Fund’s Crisis and Transitional Housing Program, local organisation SASSI will receive more than $16.2 million to deliver 21 new homes for women and children escaping family and domestic violence.

Family and domestic violence is the main reason women and children leave their homes and become homeless in Australia. Ensuring they have somewhere safe to go, when they need it, is critical.

SASSI is a powerful force for good in the Illawarra community, supporting vulnerable families, providing a fresh start for local people in need and making a real difference in the long-term outcomes for these families.

Member for Cunningham, Alison Byrnes MP, and Member for Whitlam, Carol Berry MP, expressed their sincere thanks to SASSI CEO Penny Dordoy and all of the SASSI team for the work they do every day to improve the lives of local people.

This funding forms part of Labor’s commitment to delivering over $1.2 billion in crisis and transitional housing investment and 55,000 social and affordable homes across the country.

Across the Illawarra, the Albanese Labor Government has already delivered:

• $7,232,598 to SASSI for 14 dwellings in Wollongong for both women and children experiencing family and domestic violence and for older women at risk of homelessness.
• $14,168.090 to Illawarra Community Housing Trust for 45 dwellings in Wollongong and Dapto to provide long-term social and affordable rental homes for a range of local households including women and children, older women at risk of homelessness and essential workers through the HAFF.
• 51 new and refurbished social homes in the Wollongong Local Government area with the NSW Government under Labor’s Social Housing Accelerator program.

While there’s still more work to do to fix a housing crisis generations in the making, Labor’s ambitious housing plan is making good progress – building more homes, supporting first home buyers, and targeting investments to expand crisis and transitional housing for those who need it most.

Quotes attributable to Member for Cunningham, Alison Byrnes MP:

“We know that having a safe place to turn to can make all the difference for women and children fleeing domestic violence. No one should have to choose between staying in an unsafe situation and having nowhere to go.”

“These 21 new homes will help ensure more local families have somewhere safe to go when they need it most. This is more than just a roof over their heads — it means security, dignity and the chance to rebuild.”

“We have an ambitious housing agenda, and I’m proud our government is supporting 71 new social and affordable homes across the Illawarra, along with a further 51 new and refurbished homes together with the State Government in the Wollongong LGA, to support local people in need.”

“There’s more to do, and we’ll keep working to deliver the housing support our community needs.”

Quotes attributable to Member for Whitlam, Carol Berry MP:

“For women and children escaping violence, having access to safe and secure housing is life-changing. It provides the stability they need to recover from trauma and begin rebuilding their lives.”

“A safe home gives kids the chance to focus on being kids again. It means more stability, better educational outcomes, and the opportunity to grow up in an environment where they feel safe and supported.”

“When women make the courageous decision to leave an unsafe situation, they need to know there is somewhere safe to go. Every woman and child deserves to feel safe.

“These new homes, delivered by the Albanese Labor Government, give families escaping domestic and family violence a real pathway to that safety, right here in the Illawarra.”

Quotes attributable to CEO, SASSI, Penny Dordoy:

“SASSI is absolutely thrilled to be able to offer 21 new homes in the Illawarra, with the support of Alison Byrnes, Carol Berry and the Albanese Government. This is much-needed additional accommodation for the Illawarra.”

“Women and children escaping domestic violence often leave with little more than the clothes on their backs. These 21 homes will provide safety, stability and the chance to recover and rebuild their lives.”