Women's Property Initiatives' August Update

A Message From Our Chair

As WPI's Chair, I’m letting you know about a very significant change that WPI will be experiencing in the next few months.

After 18 years of outstanding commitment and growing WPI to a strong organisation that now houses more than 270 women and children, our CEO Jeanette Large is planning to move into her next exciting phase, retiring in mid 2024. The Board has commenced its process to search for an accomplished and inspirational leader to build on this foundation, continuing our ambitious growth strategy to provide high quality, life-changing outcomes to vulnerable women.

We are aiming to make the transition as seamless as possible, and it is business as usual at WPI for the next few months. Jeanette is currently enjoying some long-planned and well earned leave, with Lucy Simms acting as CEO in her absence. Jeanette will be back at the helm on 26 September 2023.

There will be appropriate events early next year at which we will celebrate Jeanette’s immense contribution to WPI, and I look forward to introducing our new CEO once appointed.

We have engaged recruitment firm Sheldon Harris to support our search. The role is currently advertised on LinkedIn and aspiring candidates can contact Sheldon Harris via that link Chief Executive Officer | Women's Property Initiatives | LinkedIn

Please read on for some other WPI news. Thank you for your ongoing support.

Katie Struthers, WPI Chair

Katie Struthers

Jeanette Large

WPI Opening More Doors Giving Day

On 1 June, WPI held it’s first ever Giving Day. Over a 12 hour period we asked our supporters to dig deep and donate to help us Open More Doors to women and children at risk of homelessness. We were completely overwhelmed by the generosity of our community. After quickly surpassing our original target of $200,000, our final figure of $442,750 was beyond our wildest dreams.

Thank you to all who donated to help us keep opening doors to new homes. This is an extremely important step in securing the remaining 16 homes of our 25 new homes by 2025 goal.

Thank you to our amazing matching partners, Built, the Hupert Family Foundation, the Wood Foundation, Collier Charitable Fund, the Jack and Ethel Goldin Foundation, Ede Horton, the Scalzo Family and Catalyst Development Services. Special thanks to our Equality Media for their fantastic support for our campaign.

Enthusiastic fundraising teams from Equality Media, Bates Smart, Duo Projects and Built provided momentum during our Giving Day and we are very fortunate to have their support.

Finally, thanks to all who shared our messages and helped spread the word. This was a big part of our success.

Mornington Peninsula Development

We are looking forward to working with the Mornington Peninsula Council to develop a further six homes for women. WPI has been awarded a ground lease of Council land after a successful expression of interest and will develop six dwellings for vulnerable women within the shire. The land is well located in this vibrant community with excellent access to services and amenities. Construction will commence in 2024.

The Nest

Exciting progress is being made on The Nest in Shepparton.

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.

Important ground works are taking place on site prior to construction starting in October.

Overstretched & Overwhelmed

A report from Homelessness Australia released prior to Homelessness Week in July, unsurprisingly, shows how 'overstretched and overwhelmed' our homelessness services are. In 2021/22 a staggering 71,962 people per year were turned away. Of those, 80% were women and children, an alarming number of whom would have been attempting to escape family violence.

We need our governments to set ambitious goals to end homeless. And while what is currently proposed with the Housing Australia Future Fund (HAFF) may not meet all the objectives, over time it will make a real difference. It will create momentum and change the lives of many vulnerable people. It's time to stop arguing and to see some action.