National charity yourtown will receive a combined $125,000 donation from Lendlease’s shared value initiative, FutureSteps and furniture giant IKEA.
Lendlease has donated $100,000 in funding and IKEA has pledged $25,000 worth of furniture to the project. The new four-bedroom home will provide safe and secure accommodation for women and children escaping domestic and family violence.
Related: Charity scores NSW State Budget on housing for domestic violence victims
The home will be constructed by yourtown’s social enterprise initiative, which provides training and employment to young job seekers at risk of long-term unemployment and supports them in gaining a certificate in construction. As many as 10 young people will work on the delivery of the project.
Women and children experiencing family and domestic violence face two high-risk transition points: when they leave a violent partner to access accommodation such as a refuge; and when they leave a refuge to settle into independent housing. There is currently an acute shortage of appropriate housing options for women and children exiting refuges, often meaning they are forced to stay longer in a refuge or consider unsafe alternatives.
IKEA will deliver items to assist with the build of the property, such as cupboards, bathrooms and in-built items in late June. A second delivery will consist of furniture and house-hold items and is estimated for August.
Tracy Adams, CEO, yourtown called the initiative “a wonderful example of how community coming together can be part of the solution.”
“Each family who find their way to this home, will know that they are not alone, that their safety and the safety of their children is something that really matters, and that the aspirations they have can be realised,” Adams said.
Kylie Rampa, CEO Property of Lendlease said projects such as yourtown’s transitional housing and social enterprise is the very reason they launched their shared value initiative.
“Family and domestic violence affects too many women in Australia, so being able to provide a safe place for women and children is of paramount importance. The project will directly support them as they are getting back on their feet for many years to come,” Rampa said.
Read: Threatening to harm pets now a crime under new domestic violence laws
Meanwhile, Bhumika Selot, IKEA Australia Sustainability Business Partner said they hoped that their support to yourtown’s new transitional home will “enable women and children find a place they can call home.”
“We know how important life at home is, particularly for those experiencing hardship, so we’re on a mission to create a better everyday life for people all over the world. We’re committed to making a positive impact in the communities we’re present in,” Selot said.
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