There are more women and children in need of a rental property to escape domestic abusers in Perth than there are properties available — imprisoning some of the State’s most vulnerable in violent homes.
So far this year, more than 19,000 family and domestic violence charges have been laid in WA, which gives some idea of the scale of the problem.
And there are only 2203 properties currently listed for rent in Perth on REIWA. Of those, just 1000 are below the median $650 per week, and only 675 are on the market below $600 a week.
With single incomes at a maximum of $500 weekly on welfare, coupled with a lack of rental history or poor rental history, victims regularly have their tenancy applications overlooked.
The sobering figures come as Curtin University research shows women are increasingly faced with a cruel trade-off — a choice between living with their abuser or becoming homeless.
We have spoken to women who say they can see their children decompressing and becoming themselves again as soon as they leave their abusers and get into their own home.
“Not having access to secure and affordable housing is the single biggest barrier to leaving a domestic violence situation,” said Professor Donna Chung, who is leading research on the impact of secure housing on FDV victims.
Being rejected after more than 50 home opens was not uncommon for Perth women desperate to flee their abuser, with the relentless rejection and discrimination risking further undermining their already shattered confidence.
The issue is exacerbated for women on temporary visas, who don’t have access to Commonwealth support or public housing options.
Professor Chung’s research into Orana House’s highly regarded Housing Families program — which helps FDV victims secure private rentals through compassionate landlords — has shown that secure affordable housing had a raft of immediate benefits.
Preliminary research reveals increased school attendance and participation for children, less stress, better mental health, a better sense of control and improved financial independence.
“We have spoken to women who say they can see their children decompressing and becoming themselves again as soon as they leave their abusers and get into their own home,” Professor Chung said.
The research into the HFP program, which includes wraparound services such as counselling, has shown that it works for both those renting and landlords.
“It really is a reciprocal arrangement,” Professor Chung said. “It is a great way for landlords to contribute to helping end violence against women and children, but at the same time, they also find tenants who really look after their house.”
While no specific data is available about exactly how many women are seeking housing to escape FDV, the ABS Personal Safety Survey shows 6.4 per cent of women report experiencing emotional abuse from an intimate partner.
Orana House general manager Mel Rowe said there were many reasons why a woman cannot simply “just leave”.
“The housing crisis is certainly a big one, as is coercive control, love, financial abuse, children, the list goes on,” she said.
“But the main reason is fear. Fear, because the time of leaving is the most dangerous, the time when the majority of femicides occur. Fear of what the perpetrator will do to her and the children.
“These are the cases that need refuge, and that’s why we created a program that alleviates the bottlenecking in refuge, so that the women who have now been supported to safety can have the opportunity to move forward safely, in a place they can call home.”
While Centre for Women’s Safety and Wellbeing chief executive Alison Evans welcomed State Government initiatives to alleviate some of the pressures of the housing crisis, she said more long-term solutions were needed.
I wanted women to walk into the homes that we created and feel self-worth. I think that really is the basis of being able to rebuild your life.
“The increasing cost of housing and rising costs of living are further compounded by the deep and lasting financial impacts of family and domestic violence, including specific experiences of economic abuse,” she said.
“The housing crisis is putting more pressure on specialist family and domestic violence services and is ultimately costly for the service system and those who use it.
“We need more pathways into housing through greater investment in transitional housing and initiatives that enable and support victim survivors to remain safe in their own homes.”
Worthy Australia founder Jennifer Ball is one of many in the sector doing what she can to improve the housing situations of women and children fleeing domestic violence.
The charity provides post-crisis support through its Safe Haven program that sets up women in their new homes with everything they need — from mattresses to kettles.
The mother-of-three said the program helped increase the likelihood victims won’t return to an abuser and restore dignity for victims who often fled with just the clothes on their backs.
“I wanted women to walk into the homes that we created and feel self-worth. I think that really is the basis of being able to rebuild your life,” Ms Ball said.
One of the first women she helped was a FDV victim who had been provided a house after living in a refuge. But with no money, she and her children slept on blankets for almost a month.
They had an Eski for food instead of a fridge and reused the same lunchbox as a bowl for meals.
I’ll always remember that. I get a little bit emotional thinking about it. Our sons were the same age,” Ms Ball said.
“They might get the keys to their house but then the idea of actually having to buy beds, fridges, washing machines and just basic items, it’s unreachable.
“So, whether you have the items or not, you have to go.”
Since launching in 2020, she has fully furnished 52 homes, assisted with transitional housing, and refurbished an eight-bed crisis refuge.
But Ms Ball said there was still a great need for more funding and support to meet the growing demand for their services, saying she has had to reject more than 150 referrals since stating the charity because she was at capacity.
Despite the success of Orana’s Housing Family program, it has also sounded the alarm that it doesn’t have capacity to meet demand.
Women and children needing support in private rentals has skyrocketed.
The program has developed partnerships with real estate agencies and landlords supportive of housing women and children who have experienced DFV.
These combined strategies have led to clients being prioritised and securing private rentals.
If you or someone you know is experiencing family violence, phone 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732) or the Crisis Care Helpline on 1800 199 008.