Construction begins on new Maitland refuge for women and children fleeing violence

newy.com.au – Construction has begun on a new refuge in the Maitland local government area that will provide eight units of crisis accommodation for women and children escaping domestic and family violence.

Housing Plus is developing the refuge, with specialist support services to be delivered on site by Carrie’s Place Domestic Violence and Homelessness Services when the project is completed.

The NSW Government said Housing Plus had been awarded $6.4 million under its Core and Cluster program to deliver the refuge, which will include a mix of studio, one-bedroom and two-bedroom units designed to support different household types.

One unit will be wheelchair accessible and shared areas will also be accessible for residents with restricted mobility. Each unit will be fully self-contained, with its own kitchen, bathroom and laundry facilities, private outdoor space and an area for pets. The refuge will also include indoor and outdoor play spaces for children and designated communal areas.

Housing and Homelessness Minister Rose Jackson said domestic and family violence remained one of the leading causes of homelessness in NSW.

“Domestic and family violence remains one of the leading causes of homelessness in NSW and that’s why we’re investing in purpose-built refuge accommodation so when someone makes the courageous decision to leave violence, they can be certain there’s a safe place to turn when they need it most,” she said.

“No one should have to choose between staying in danger or facing homelessness. These refuges offer far more than a roof over someone’s head, they’re spaces designed to provide privacy, independence and specialist support in one place.”

Prevention of Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Minister Jodie Harrison said the refuge would give families a secure place to stay while they received specialist support.

“This new Core and Cluster refuge in Maitland will give families a secure place to stay while they receive the specialist support they need to rebuild their lives,” she said.

Member for Maitland Jenny Aitchison said the service had been needed locally for years, describing refuges as “a lifeline – a chance to catch their breath, feel safe, and begin to rebuild”.

Ms Aitchison said Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research data showed domestic violence-related assault charges in Maitland had increased by 3.6 per cent and sexual assault charges by 14.3 per cent over the past decade.

The project is part of the NSW Government’s $426.6 million Core and Cluster program, which it says will support more than 2900 additional victim-survivors of domestic and family violence each year once complete.

Acting Housing Plus Group chief executive Maria Woods said the organisation expected to open the refuge in 2027, while Carrie’s Place chief executive Jayne Clowes said demand for crisis accommodation continued to rise and the purpose-built facility would help ensure families in danger had somewhere safe to turn.