All the latest news from Women's Property Initiatives
Update April 2025
Welcome to the Autumn edition of the WPI Update. Despite the uncertain times that we are living in, I am thrilled to be able to share hope and kindness with important milestone achievements that will help us create more new beginnings for women and children. Having met our 25 homes target, we are approaching some significant end of financial year fundraising initiatives to achieve our stretch target of 30 homes funded by 30 June 2025.
We are delighted and proud to have delivered our first housing project in regional Victoria. In this update you can find out more about The Nest, a partnership between WPI, the Property Industry Foundation and The Bridge Youth Service to deliver housing for young women and their children with wrap around support. This project is more than housing, it's an early childhood program that provides a solid foundation for young women and their children to flourish and achieve education and wellbeing outcomes. Located in Mooroopna in Victoria's North West, the three dwellings are now a safe place to call home for young women who are relatively new parents and we are thrilled that residents have now moved in.
We have also been part of some significant events celebrating International Women’s Day. This year the theme was March Forward, and WPI remains committed to advancing the progress toward gender equality in all that we do. We know that secure and affordable housing has an important role to play in addressing the disadvantage that many women face. Alongside hosting our own event, we were the beneficiaries of two fantastic events that raised funds to assist us with our work. You can read more about this in the update.
We are really excited about a range of projects that are at various stages within the construction process. WPI now owns 125 homes and manages an additional 166 homes for other owners. We have many homes in the design and construction phase and we are working on a range of pipeline projects.
We can only achieve these outcomes with your support. Thank you for your continued support of WPI and for your commitment to improving the lives of vulnerable women with secure and affordable homes.
Warm Regards
Roberta Buchanan
CEO, Women's Property Initiatives
The Nest
Last month we were delighted to gather with our partners to officially open The Nest in North Eastern Victoria. The Nest is an example of outstanding collaboration between the community sector, philanthropy and businesses who have worked hard to create homes for young women adjusting to parenthood. This partnership with the Property Industry Foundation who provided much of the funding and The Bridge Youth Service who owned the parcel of land, together with Women’s Property Initiatives taking on the role of Developer, has delivered three beautiful homes. They will now be owned and managed by WPI with wrap around support for these young families to be delivered by The Bridge Youth Service.
This is WPI's first step into regional Victoria and our first ever modular homes. Our CEO, Roberta Buchanan, spoke about how proud WPI is to be able to open the doors of these homes and give these young women access to opportunities that are created by secure and affordable housing. A huge thank you to Gallagher Jeffs for offering pro bono project management services, Regenerate Org who furnished the homes so meticulously and to Planned Constructions Group who, in conjunction with teams of volunteers, have ensured that the landscaping and outdoor areas look amazing.
WPI received generous funding from the Felton Bequest and the Jack and Ethel Goldin Foundation for our contribution to the project.
There are so many people to thank for helping to deliver these homes. It is a true example of collaboration to do good. Thank you in no particular order to the Property Industry Foundation, the Bridge Youth Service, Modular Spaces, Schored Projects, Gallagher Jeffs, Riddells Creek Nursery, Plantmark Wholesale Nurseries, Omnitech Playgrounds, ISPT, Homes for Homes, Ecovantage, and the many other volunteers and suppliers who have brought these homes to life.
International Women's Day
WPI celebrated International Women’s Day at a range of events in March. With a theme of March Forward, IWD 2025 was a chance for us to acknowledge the importance of increasing momentum to address the systemic barriers and biases that women and girls face in personal and professional spheres.
We hosted our third International Women’s Day Lunch with supporters and friends who heard from our keynote speaker, Dr Sonja Hood AM, Chief Executive of The Scanlon Foundation and President of the North Melbourne Football Club. Sonja shared insights about her work with vulnerable women, the Kangaroos success in the AFLW and her experience as a woman working in the world of the AFL.
WPI was also fortunate to be named the charity partner for the Property Council of Australia’s International Women’s Day Longest Lunch in Victoria. Featuring keynote speaker, Anna Meares, this event raised more than $40k in support of our work. We are incredibly grateful to the awesome volunteers who sold raffle tickets and the generous guests who bought them. Thank you to Mecca Beauty, Fisher and Paykel and High 5 Bikes for supporting our auction and to auctioneer, Rick Massese, from our real estate agency, Property Initiatives Real Estate who kept the bidding lively.
WPI was also the charity partner for another event created by a wonderful group of passionate women from the property industry. Held at Chin Chin, the event was attended by more than 120 people and raised over $19,000 to support WPI. This was an afternoon to remember with keynote speaker, Katya Crema. It was attended by WPIs independent advisory committee member, Narelle Glynn, who is also the Chair of Property Initiatives Real Estate. This is the second time that this inspiring group of women have held this event, donating their time and energy to make it a huge success and helping us to change the lives of vulnerable women.
More Homes on the Way
Nightingale Coburg
We recently attended the topping out for Nightingale Umarkoo Wayi in Coburg. We will acquire three apartments in this development and works will be completed in late 2025.
Revitalisation in Melbourne’s North
Frames are up on the site of our redevelopment in Melbourne’s north which will comprise two new homes accommodating up to eight people.
Daylesford
We attended a tree planting at Middleton Field in Daylesford where we will open the doors to four new one bedroom homes for older women. Ground works and services are complete and we are expecting construction to progress rapidly over the next six months.
New Development
This upcoming seven-home development is about to move from pipeline to construction. Comprising four homes for older women and three for single mothers and their children, construction is scheduled to start later this year. We are continuing to raise funds for this project and will be able to share more details very soon.
A New Beginning for Carly and Her Family
Carly’s children are 17, 11, 5 and 2. She was very young when she became a mum. She met her ex-partner at school and was with him for 18 years. For much of that time they lived with his extended family. He was always controlling, disrespectful and there were many years of psychological abuse, but he didn’t become violent until much later.
She left several times, each time for a few more months than the last. But he always seemed to know where they were. With four kids and him putting lots of pressure on her to come back, she did. Knowing that she didn’t want to live with him ever again, Carly left permanently. This culminated in an incident where, unprovoked, he physically assaulted Carly in front of two of her children. Carly’s injuries were significant and have impacted her ability to use her right hand.
The family are safe now in their WPI home, but still have trauma from this violence. Stability and consistency have helped with recovery and they are now in a much better place to make key decisions regarding their future. After a period of living with her parents, Carly was handed the keys to a beautiful, new, fully furnished, WPI home. She was worried about managing on her own, but she knew they would find a way to make it work for a happier future. And they have.
“We are still settling in and trying different ways of organising things to make sure everyone feels comfortable. It has really helped me become more independent. I’ve been able to stand on my own and get things done.” One daughter is about to start year 12, and another to start high school, so there are important decisions to be made about pathways. The home is a safe space for them to work together to figure things out. “I want them to know that I listen and support their choices.” Carly is working with a mentor on career options and the sorts of work she can do with her current capacity. She is excited about the possibilities.
Away from trauma, the family is finally stable. “The kids are starting to call this home. They didn’t believe it was ours in the beginning. My oldest daughter is quite house proud. She has friends over. She was never allowed to do that before.”
