GRANTS OPEN TO CREATE SAFE PLACES FOR DOMESTIC VIOLENCE VICTIMS: McCORMACK

Member for Riverina and Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack is urging community organisations to apply for capital grants to fund emergency accommodation for victims of domestic and family violence, the leading cause of homelessness for women and children in Australia.

“The Liberal and Nationals’ Government has committed $60 million for the Safe Places emergency accommodation program, which will provide new or expanded emergency and crisis accommodation,” Mr McCormack said.

Safe Places will deliver up to 450 additional safe places and will help at least 6,500 women and children each year across remote, regional and metropolitan Australia.

“Sadly, domestic and family violence impacts on Riverina and Central West families like it does right across Australia, so it is vital victims have a local place to go where they can feel safe and still be a part of the community to which they belong,” Mr McCormack said.

To maximise the benefits of the Federal Government’s commitment, the Safe Places program encourages contributions from other levels of government and from private and philanthropic sources.

“Projects which bring forward additional funding, whether it be in-kind or cash, will be prioritised because it means more safe places can be provided,” Mr McCormack said.

Safe Places grant funding will be provided to successful organisations in 2020-21 and 2021-22, with the new expanded emergency accommodation to be operational and providing services by June 2022.

Riverina and Central West organisations interested in applying for a Safe Places grant should visit the GrantConnect website at www.grants.gov.au.

Organisations must submit their grant application by 14 February 2020.

If organisations have questions about the grant process they should contact the Community Grants Hub on on 1800 020 283 or support@communitygrants.gov.au.

ENDS