Homes to support families in need

Published on 10 December 2024

Council has increased its support for families in need with the announcement of two additional homes to be made available for temporary accommodation through the local women’s refuge. The announcement was made as part of Council’s first roundtable discussion to support a coordinated network to increase the assistance available to women and families in need.

Held on Tuesday 10 December 2024, the meeting coincided with the United Nations 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence as well as International Human Rights Day. Delvena is a refuge for women, and their children, escaping domestic violence. Located in Lane Cove (at an address that we do not disclose for safety reasons), it has been supporting women, through the provision of safe accommodation and support services for over 30 years.

Delvena is now part of Women & Children First (W&CF), an organisation committed to ensuring women, children and families are safe, connected and given the support they need across Northern Sydney. Council has for some time provided Delvena with ongoing access to a home in the Lane Cove local government area.

More recently two additional Council-owned properties awaiting development have been identified and will be offered to W&CF as additional short to medium term accommodation. In doing so Council is demonstrating to other property owners how vacant properties can be used to support people in need rather than remaining empty whilst awaiting redevelopment.

Council, residents, local businesses, media, community and charitable organisations have long been supporters of Delvena through a range of good deeds and donations. A recent Council resolution reaffirmed this support and it was a pleasure to be able to share today’s announcement of additional temporary housing options with the 18 representatives who attended the roundtable discussion hosted at the Lane Cove Civic Centre