Hi WAGEC Community,
I am writing to you from the lands of the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation and want to acknowledge that this land was, is and always will be Aboriginal land.
I hope you are keeping safe and healthy during our current COVID-19 lockdowns. August 1st marked the beginning of Homelessness Week 2021 with the theme being Everybody Needs a Home. We know Covid-19 has only exasperated the experience of domestic and family violence and homelessness for women. With continued lockdowns across the country, many women continue to be isolated and unsafe in their own home.
This year, WAGEC is joining the Everybody Needs a Campaign by calling for a better, fairer housing system for women and children impacted by violence. We know domestic and family violence is the leading cause of homelessness in Australia and lack of housing is one of the main reasons women and families return to violent relationships and homes. At WAGEC we experience this lack of housing firsthand with many women and families staying at our crisis refuges for months, and sometimes years, before finding housing. Only until there is long term, sustainable and affordable housing options can we begin to address and end the homelessness epidemic in Australia.
I would also like to express my sincere thanks to all of you for your continued support of WAGEC. It takes a community to transform lives and create social change and we could not do what we do without your contribution.
Stay safe everyone!
Sincerely,
Helen
