Manager Madeleine Rossiter with Helen Dalton MP and NSW Minister for Women Jodie Harrison. Photo: Oliver Jacques.
Construction is set to begin on a refuge for women and families escaping violence in Griffith, which will be named after longtime advocate for the homeless, Yvonne Wilson.
Ms Wilson is now the CEO of social service provider Linking Communities Network, which will build an 11-unit complex, ‘Yvonne’s Place’, on Kokoora Street. This will double the capacity of the existing facility next door, which will remain operational.
“Our vision at Linking Communities Network is for all people to have access to safe and secure housing, live free from violence, and the freedom to reach their potential,” Ms Wilson said in a statement.
She has worked in the sector for more than 40 years and is known for going above and beyond to assist those in need. The CEO did not attend a sod turning event in Griffith on Wednesday (9 April) because she was on a well-deserved holiday.
The refuge is being built thanks to a $6.4 million investment by the NSW Government. The building design was done by Troy Patten and his business Miestudio.
A key feature of Yvonne’s Place is that it will be pet-friendly, allowing women to live with their cats or dogs.
“Women escaping violent situations often have very few housing options, especially if they have children or pets, and we know that thousands of women become homeless or return to violent homes because they are unable to find alternative places to stay,” Housing Minister Rose Jackson said.
“Refuges like this core and cluster complex in Griffith will ensure that more women and children in the community will be able to rebuild their lives free from abuse and violence.”
Facility manager Madeline Rossiter said their door was always open to women and families in need.
“We get phone calls all the time, women can self-refer, just give us a call or just come here, as we are open 24 hours, every day of the year,” she said.
Celinea Reddy and Madeleine Rossiter at the sod turning event. Photo: Oliver Jacques.
Finding permanent accommodation for these women remains a challenge in a town where the rental vacancy rate is less than one per cent.
“Given the rental crisis, people aren’t able to afford private rentals; we have to try to find a place for people when there are none available,” she said.
The refuge is based on a core and cluster model that promotes independent living by providing a ‘cluster’ of self-contained accommodation located next to a ‘core’ of support, including access to counselling, legal assistance, education, and employment support.
“I’m pleased to say it will be the first core and cluster to be completed in Griffith and will double the refuge’s capacity which is amazing,” Murray MP Helen Dalton said.
It is expected to be built by 2026.
