Housing and homelessness provider HomeGround Services has announced its partnership with online property group realestate.com.au to provide a national rehousing program for 300 abused women and children.
 
The Victorian-based housing provider is set to award the units to victims of family violence, particularly those who escaped from their previous homes.
 
The collaboration between HomeGround Services and REA Group (the operator of realestate.com.au) comes with the support of anti-family violence campaigner Rosie Batty.
 
In a report by Pro-bono Australia, Batty said Christmas is a period when the cases of family violence and the number of deaths related to it are at their peak in the country.
 
“The initiative will divert women and children away from homelessness and into housing that is safe, secure, affordable and permanent,” HomeGround Services chief executive Dr Heather Holst said.
 
“The support of realestate.com.au will enable the establishment of a new national Rapid Rehousing Fund.”
 
Holst also called the movement part of the $3m wider commitment from realestate.com.au to curb homelessness in the country, which is greatly populated because of domestic violence. He said 33% of the people receiving assistance from housing agencies were victims of family violence.
 
Meanwhile, data from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare said an additional 5,000 women and children came into the system due to family violence over the last 12 months. 

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