Ensure accommodation services contain disability-accessible units

Family Safety Victoria is helping the family violence sector to adopt a contemporary 'core and cluster' accommodation model to allow victim survivors and children greater privacy and independence while maintaining onsite support. The core and cluster model includes accommodation that promotes safety, is accessible to people with disabilities, provides private units and enables connections with the community, work and school.

To date four new refuges were completed in late 2019 and have commenced service from the new facilities. Land has been secured for a further 12 sites with works in progress across the various stages of design, planning and construction. Land searches continue for the remaining three sites.

All core and cluster facilities will be accessible for victim survivors including children with disabilities, and one unit at each facility will be built to platinum Liveable Design Standards, maximising safety and accessibility for people with disabilities, and families with young children.

These facilities will be located in high demand areas to ensure victim survivors including children can access the support they need. The facilities promote safety, are accessible to people with disabilities, and provide connections to community, school and work.

A statewide project control group and local user groups with sector representatives continues to oversee this work.

Implemented