Support service providers to phase out the communal refuge model

Implemented

Who is leading the change

Family Safety Victoria

The Victorian Government support service providers in phasing out the communal refuge model and replacing it with accommodation that promotes safety, is accessible to people with disabilities, provides private units and enables connections with the community, work and school (core and cluster model). To facilitate the transition, the Victorian Government should provide a capital fund to assist service providers with business case development, design options and implementation (including construction of redesigned accommodation) and fund interim arrangements to avoid loss in service delivery during refurbishment or redevelopment.

We are redeveloping 17 Director of Housing owned family violence refuges and constructing two new refuges specifically for Aboriginal victim survivors of family violence.

Site selection for the new core and cluster facilities has been based on a range of criteria to support safety, accessibility and connection to community. Family Safety Victoria is working closely with Homes Victoria within the Department of Families, Fairness and Housing (DFFH), DFFH local area offices and refuge service providers to select the most appropriate site for future refuges. Sites are considered against the following criteria:
- privacy and safety of the surrounding environment
- proximity to amenities and services including public transport, schools and childcare options, and universal services such as health services
- size and capacity to accommodate up to 6 independent dwellings, outdoor areas and staff facilities.
Standard design requirements have been developed to ensure consistency across all new core and cluster refuges. These articulate the building features, standard inclusions and accessibility requirements that apply across all new developments. A consistent project delivery methodology is also in place which includes key phases of land acquisition, procurement of contracted services, user consultation, construction, building handover and transition to service.

Site locations have been selected to be in high demand areas to ensure victim survivors can access the support they need. The facilities promote safety and are accessible to people with disabilities as well as providing connections to community, school and work.

The 2019-20 State Budget provided funding to agencies to support refuges to:
- provide 24-hour operations at recently redeveloped refuges and support additional households in the new core and cluster facilities
- support agencies to respond to children and young people in refuge
- provide more intensive and holistic support to clients including complex clients where they may previously have been excluded from communal refuges due to the complexities of communal living models.
Completion of the project will increase the number of households that can be accommodated in Director of Housing owned refuges by approximately 50 per cent from around 105 to around 160 households.
Thirteen refuges are now complete and land has been secured for the six remaining sites under this program. With all core and cluster sites purchased and development progressing, the phasing out of the communal refuge model and the transition to the core and cluster model can be acquitted.

A state-wide project control group and local user groups with sector representatives have overseen this work and will continue to meet regularly to oversee progress and manage any developing risks or issues.

Updated 28 January 2023