Jireh House officially opened a new three-bedroom home in March, supported through a funding collaboration between the community, Tasmanian Community Fund, and the Commonwealth and State Governments to increase support for women and children escaping domestic violence.

TCF Chair Sally Darke said the TCF recognises the impact of family violence on individuals, families and community and this property will assist in meeting the need in Southern Tasmania.

“Jireh House turns away 60 women and 70 children every month, and this property, with multiple bedrooms is ideal for women with larger families or women with teenage children while they seek more permanent accommodation,” Sally said.

“It’s important that we continue to meet the needs of families escaping violence and these larger houses play a critical role in supporting many of the larger families seeking help, who often find it hard due to the number of people needing accommodation.

“We are really pleased to have played an enabler role in the housing development project, assisting the Jireh House to engage a project manager to seek funding from the State and Commonwealth Government to purchase the property and build a second house on the site.”

The last piece of the development was completed with State Government providing funding to construct a new three-bedroom house on the new property.

With TCF funding support, Jireh House can expand the support they provide to clients and their families in their suite of properties, initially made possible through the local community.

“When Government, the not-for-profit sector and the community come together to make something happen, we know it is going to be a success,” Sally said.

The TCF continues to provide support to Jireh House to enable them to support the clients in the two larger properties and look forward to hearing how families are improving their lives through the service into the future.