Released 19/11/2018
Changes have now been made to the Safer Families Grants Program to allow easier access to grants of up to $2,000 for people who have experienced domestic and family violence.
The ACT Government’s Safer Families Grants—that have undergone an operational review to ensure they were getting to the right people, at the right time—are a critical component of the government’s Safer Families package announced in 2016.
Grants are available to assist people who have experienced, or are experiencing, domestic and family violence to rebuild their lives, with a total of $409,000 in funding committed over four years in the 2018-19 budget.
Previously the grant was linked to the Housing ACT Rental Bonds Loan Scheme and designed to assist with the costs of moving, buying furniture and white goods, and paying utilities and rent.
Under the new arrangement for the Safer Families Assistance program, a person no longer has to apply for a rental bond loan to be eligible, and the range of assistance that a person can apply for has expanded to include legal costs, pet care, mortgage and rental payments and other costs associated with establishing or sustaining a family home.
The revised program also expands the referral pathways to now include private, community, government, social and health and justice sector agencies that work with people to address the impact of family violence, as well as the Domestic Violence Crisis Service.
The changes are in response to the evidence of previous usage to make sure that what we're implementing actually works to make people’s lives safer.
We’re changing the way we do things and listening to people with lived experience in our community.
Domestic and family violence remains a big issue in our community and programs which are funded from the $30 Safer Families levy are designed to help families get back on track. This is just one way we can make a real difference for our community.
- Statement ends -
Yvette Berry, MLA | Media Releases
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