WPI Update December 2020

We are nearly at the end of 2020 and what a year it has been. We are extremely proud that during such difficult times, we were able to keep on delivering new housing for women and children at risk of homeless, and continue to advocate for more of it. 

Many of our tenants faced tough challenges this year to keep themselves and their families safe. Many lost jobs or casual work and also endured the constant struggles associated with at home learning. The importance of home was brought into very sharp focus, and I spoke with a lot of women who were beyond grateful to have secure homes and to not have their tenancies in jeopardy. 

On a positive note, our six home development in Melbourne's south east was completed and new tenants are settling in well. Good progress is being made on larger developments in Brunswick and Bundoora where we have purchased apartments and they will become available in 2021. 

We were also thrilled with the Victorian Government's announcement of the $5.3 billion Big Housing Build. This is a game changer for many Victorians who live in constant housing stress, and WPI is ready and willing to play a very active role to provide long-term housing solutions for women and women-led families. 

From the entire team at WPI I wish you a happy and safe holiday season. Please enjoy some well earned freedom and reduced stress levels. Please take the time to read our annual report below, which outlines our approach and our impact. And, of course, if you are able to, we would welcome a contribution, however large or small to our end of year appeal. It's an opportunity to help the great many who are experiencing disadvantage and housing crisis. 

Warm Regards

Christmas Appeal

As the festive season approaches, the importance of 'home' has been brought into sharp focus. The COVID-19 crisis has left many people struggling to keep a roof over their heads and these holidays will be really tough. Women on low incomes and those escaping domestic violence are at the greatest risk of experiencing housing crisis and have been the most severely impacted by the pandemic. 

Will you make a donation today to help us provide vital housing as soon as possible for women and children at risk of homelessness? 

WPI provides homes for more than 230 women and children around Melbourne. We will deliver 24 new homes in the next year, in fact we are hoping that it will be many more than this. They will create a new beginning for the women and children who move into them and they won't have to worry about having a secure home to spend the holidays in next year. 

Your donation will make a big difference to women in need, like WPI tenant, Judy. In the private rental market, Judy and her teenage daughters, were forced to move five times in five years. Sometimes rents were raised above what she could afford and sometimes they were simply told they had to move out at short notice. Judy had retired early from a job that she enjoyed due to a medical condition. Despite being a sole parent and having a single income, she had always had a good job, and didn’t ever expect to find herself living in constant housing stress. She was shocked how easily it happened.

Read more of Judy's story