Crisis accommodation grants open, giving NT organisations chance to access $100m cash pool

Organisations helping Territorians escape domestic violence have a chance to access $100m as part of a new federal push to build crisis shelters and emergency housing.

Minister for Housing and Homelessness Clare O'Neil. Picture: NewsWire / Martin Ollman

Organisations helping Territorians escape domestic violence have a chance to access $100m as part of a new federal push to build crisis shelters and emergency housing.

Crisis and Transitional Accommodation Program grants have opened, with $100m allocated for new crisis and transitional housing for women and children experiencing family and domestic violence, and older women at risk of homelessness across Australia.

The grants are a capital works grant program funding the building, remodelling or purchase of new or expanded crisis or transitional accommodation.

Applicants granted funding are expected to commence their projects from early next year.

Federal Solomon MP Luke Gosling. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

“Family and domestic violence is one of the leading causes of homelessness and housing uncertainty for women and children in Darwin and Palmerston,” Solomon MP Luke Gosling said.

“It is vitally important that women and children experiencing family and domestic violence know there are both people and places they can turn to for support in times of crisis.”

The program is funded through the Housing Australia Future Fund, aligning with the federal government’s target to fund more than 1200 emergency homes in its first round.

Federal Housing and Homelessness Minister Clare O’Neil said women and children escaping domestic violence “deserve a safe place to call home”.

“More homes for women escaping domestic violence can be the difference between being stuck or being empowered and able to leave a situation of domestic or family violence,” she said.

“We’re building on our more than a billion dollar investment in crisis and transitional accommodation by opening a $100m funding round that will help hundreds more women and children find a safe place to call home.

“This is part of our ambitious housing agenda, where we are delivering the largest investment in social and affordable housing in more than a decade.”