All the latest news from Women's Property Initiatives
Update May 2023
The latest Census data showed that the number of women who are homeless in Australia increased by more than 10% between 2016 and 2021, with women representing more than 90% of the overall increase in our homeless population. The reasons for this alarming increase stem from factors relating to gender inequality, highlighting that homelessness is a very gendered problem. We are committed to working with the private and community sectors and government at all levels to find sustainable affordable housing solutions to turn this tide.
In April we opened the doors to five lovely apartments on the Mornington Peninsula that are now home to women led families who are escaping family violence. Secure and affordable housing is desperately needed in this area and we are thrilled that we are now working with women in this community.
Ground will soon be broken in Shepparton on the The Nest, a partnership between the Property Industry Foundation, WPI and The Bridge Youth Services to build three homes for young mums to live independently with their child or children.
We have funded the first nine properties of the "25 homes by 2025" goal that we set on our 25th Anniversary. New apartments are to be built in Ballarat and Daylesford and delivered in partnership with Homes Victoria, Hygge Property, the Jack and Ethel Goldin Foundation and the Hupert Family Foundation. We are now committed to securing the remaining 16 of these 25 homes.
To help us reach our 25 homes goal we will be holding WPI's first ever Giving Day on 1 June - aptly titled Opening More Doors. Please consider donating or even establishing a fundraising team in your workplace or with friends to help us continue our work.
Read on to learn more about all of these initiatives. Thanks for you continued support of and interest in WPI. Please reach out if you have questions or would like to get more involved.
WPI Opening More Doors Giving Day
On 1 June, WPI will be holding it’s first ever Giving Day. Over a 12 hour period we will be asking our supporters to dig deep and donate to help us Open More Doors to women and children at risk of homelessness. We have set a goal of delivering 25 new homes by 2025. We are thrilled that we have funded the first nine and now we want to secure the rest.
On 1 June, every dollar that you donate will be doubled by our generous partners. So a $20 donation becomes $40. A $50 donation becomes $100, and so on, allowing you to maximise your impact and help change the lives of women and women led families experiencing housing crisis.
So please save the date and donate on 1 June. Reach out if you would like to learn more about how you can help us as we progress our important 25 homes Campaign.
We are thrilled to have the support of our major matching partner, Built, the Wood Foundation, Ede Horton, the Scalzo Family and Catalyst Development Services for our Giving Day. They will be doubling every dollar donated!
Mornington Peninsula Apartments
We are thrilled that tenants have moved into five new apartments on the Mornington Peninsula this week. These beautiful, light, bright spaces are now home to vulnerable women and children who have been been living in insecure housing. Some of these families have experience with domestic violence.
WPI is incredibly grateful to Regenerate who have furnished these apartments so beautifully, including brand new appliances. The new residents are beyond excited about their warm and inviting new homes. This is the new start they desperately need.
WPI received funding for this project through the Victorian Government's Big Housing Build that will deliver 12,000 social housing properties and create more than 10,000 jobs. We are delighted to have partnered with Homes Victoria to change the lives of these women and children.
The Nest
Property Industry Foundation’s Friends of the Foundation was held on Thursday 11 May 2023 where Monica Fontaine from Built, the Chair of Property Industry Foundation's Haven House Committee VIC, shared the exciting news that ground is about to be broken on The Nest site in Shepparton. The project’s building partner, Modular Spaces, was announced on the night.
The Nest is a partnership between the Property Industry Foundation, Women’s Property Initiatives and The Bridge Youth Service to build 3 x two-bedroom homes where young mums (up to 25 years old) can live independently with their child or children.
These young mums can live in the homes for up to five years supported by The Bridge Youth Service. As well as providing stability, support and safety, they will be able to establish a rental history to help them with future access in the private rental market.
WPI recently participated in a planting day on site with representatives from Property Industry Foundation and The Bridge Youth Service.
Built Volunteer Makeover WPI Gardens
Volunteers from Built have been working with Planned Constructions on landscaping projects for WPI.
The landscaping surrounding some of our older homes is in need of attention to make it more sustainable and drought tolerant and to provide enjoyment and practicality for the women and families living in them.
We aim to provide outdoor living spaces that support family engagement and healthy living. The spaces have been designed to suit surrounding conditions and Melbourne weather in order to maximise enjoyment for the whole family. It is also important that it is easy for them to maintain and control costs.
We are so fortunate to be supported by Built and Planned Constructions to deliver these backyard makeovers!
