New Generation Catherine House Expands Housing for Women

More women in South Australia will be assisted to access crisis accommodation and recovery services, with confirmation that a New Generation Catherine House is to be built in Adelaide's CBD.

The $32.6 million project will feature 52 social housing apartments in the eight-storey development.

It delivers on an Albanese Labor Government election commitment and is becoming a reality in partnership with Catherine House philanthropy and the Malinauskas South Australian Labor Government.

The new 24/7 crisis and longer-term accommodation service brings the well-known South Australian homelessness service under one roof at a site owned by Community Housing Provider, Housing Choices.

The project has been allocated $14.3 million from the Social Housing Accelerator. A further $8 million from the Safe Places Inclusion Round was also provided by the Albanese Labor Government.

A total of $2.5 million was provided from Catherine House philanthropy and the SA state Government supported the purchase of the $2.9 million site.

The New Generation Catherine House will provide crisis and transitional accommodation alongside longer term social housing for women without homes, many having escaped violent relationships.

More than 60 per cent of women enter Catherine House as a direct result of Domestic and Family Violence (DFV), and more than 70 per cent report that DFV was the reason behind the loss of their permanent home.

The site will offer self-contained units where women for the first time will have private bathroom, kitchen, and laundry facilities suitable for an individual or a small family. New Generation combines accommodation with well-designed and secure shared spaces.

The project will be managed by Housing Choices and Catherine House.

It will also include:

• Staff sleep-over accommodation for 24/7 support
• On-site Women's Respite and Recovery Centre
• Dedicated education spaces
• Craft, cooking and activity areas
• Meeting rooms
• Large domestic kitchen for shared meals
• Computer training space
• Secure outdoor garden and BBQ area

Catherine House will continue to provide their holistic approach to support through individual case management, health services, counselling services, education and employment pathways, mental health Support, financial and legal assistance and personal development.

For concept images of the New Generation Catherine House click here.

Quotes attributable to Federal Social Services Minister Amanda Rishworth

We know that if a woman has a safe place to go and take her children, she is more likely to take the steps to leave a violent relationship.

No one escaping violence should have to choose between their safety and somewhere to live.

The Albanese Government's investment in the Safe Places Inclusion Round, through projects like the New Generation Catherine House, will improve access to appropriate emergency accommodation options for victim-survivors who may have otherwise found it difficult to access.

Quotes attributable to Foreign Minister and Senator for South Australia Penny Wong

Over decades, Catherine House has helped so many women experiencing homelessness from across our state to get back on their feet.

As a long-time supporter of Catherine House, I'm proud to be a part of the Labor Governments delivering the next generation of this vital service. This will be transformational for women and children in need, providing a space to live safely and with dignity. It will be a place where they can heal, and where they can grow.

Quotes attributable to Federal Housing Minister Clare O'Neil

Women escaping violence relationship deserve a safe place to call home as it can be the difference between being stuck or being empowered to leave.

I'm proud that this collaboration between the Federal and State Labor Governments and Catherine House will allow so many women and their children to have that safe place to call home and to rebuild their lives.

The Albanese Labor Government' Social Housing Accelerator is building hundreds of homes for the most vulnerable members of our community right across South Australia.

Quotes attributable to Federal Member for Boothby Louise Miller-Frost

Catherine House is the only homelessness service for unaccompanied women in South Australia and it currently operates from a series of aging and repurposed properties that really make it difficult to provide their vital services.

These new purpose-built facilities will help women to recover and rebuild their lives in safety, and as the former CEO of Catherine House I know how life-changing this will be for so many women.

Quotes attributable to Federal Member for Adelaide Steve Georganas

The Labor Government is committed to ending violence against women and children and ensuring they have a safe place to go when escaping violence.

I welcome the expansion of the crucial services provided by Catherine House to women and children experiencing family and domestic violence when they need it most.

Quotes attributable to South Australian Minister for Housing and Urban Development Nick Champion

This is a critical housing project in the city to support vulnerable women and their children.

We are investing in the state's future by building more safe, secure and well-connected housing options for South Australians.

Quotes attributable to South Australian Minister for Women and the Prevention of Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence Katrine Hildyard

Domestic, family and sexual violence is the leading cause of homelessness for women with this scourge causing lifelong negative impacts for women's health, economic security and wellbeing.

The State Government's commitments to building a New Generation Catherine House will allow this extraordinary organisation to continue supporting women at the most difficult of times in a safe environment that empowers them to traverse a new safer path in which they can thrive.

Quotes attributable to Catherine House Director Julie Duncan

For the first time since Catherine House was established in 1988, this project will deliver new purpose built accommodation, a new service hub and women's recovery centre.

With the increased accommodation places available, we will be able to do more for South Australian women and their families.