HOMELESSNESS NSW has strongly endorsed the NSW government’s plan to expand the Shared Equity Home Buyer Helper program to include access for victim survivors of domestic and family violence.

A new government taskforce will be established, which will include Domestic Violence NSW (DVNSW), Minister for the Prevention of Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault, Jodie Harrison and Treasurer Daniel Mookhey, to explore ways to improve housing outcomes for domestic violence victim-survivors.

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The taskforce will also determine eligibility criteria for the expansion of this program, to be finalised in the coming weeks.

Recommendations from the taskforce will be considered as part of the process for the 2023-24 NSW Budget, which is due to be handed down on Tuesday, 19 September 2023.

Under the current Shared Equity Home Buyer Helper, the NSW Government contributes up to 40 percent for a new home or up to 30 percent for an existing home bought by eligible home buyers with a minimum deposit of two percent.

Homelessness NSW CEO Trina Jones said, “Family and domestic violence is the leading cause of homelessness for women and children.

“Supporting victim-survivors to have a safe home will be a significant step towards reducing homelessness.

“For those who can afford to access it, this scheme will help people live in a safe home and contribute to safer and stronger communities.

“We endorse the government’s commitment to tackling homelessness and look forward to the taskforce’s recommendations.”

Minister for the Prevention of Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault, Jodie Harrison said, “Domestic and family violence has become endemic across NSW and the NSW Government is committed to helping victim-survivors experience the safety and security of owning their own home.

“Providing safer housing and greater financial security is an important way the NSW Government can support domestic violence victim-survivors achieve better long-term outcomes.

“This taskforce will explore options to achieve the best outcome for domestic violence victim-survivors when it comes to housing.

“This is one step the NSW Government is taking, in what will be an ongoing path towards making New South Wales a safer place for victim survivors.”

Domestic and family violence is a leading cause of homelessness amongst women.

Last year, there were 33,410 reports of domestic violence related assault incidents recorded by the NSW Police Force.

2022 BOCSAR data also reported that domestic violence rates across NSW have increased at a rate of 3 per cent annually over the past five years.

More information on Shared Equity Home Buyer Helper is available at nsw.gov.au/shared-equity