Development/Project Manager

Women’s Property Initiatives is a not-for-profit, community housing organisation that creates new beginnings for women facing homelessness, by providing permanent and affordable homes, access to support networks and ongoing advocacy. We have been providing long-term housing solutions for women on low incomes and their children for 22 years. We currently provide high-quality, permanent homes for over 220 women and children around Melbourne with 83 properties and we are continuing to grow with 10 additional homes under development and another 19 recently approved for funding. We are also managing an additional 129 properties for other community housing organisations.

We provide housing for women because we believe that everyone deserves a safe and secure home and that women face the greatest disadvantage in terms of being able to access one. Our long-term housing allows women (and in many cases their children) to rebuild their lives and secure a better future. Tenants pay rent, but it is no more than 30% of their household income, giving them the financial capacity to do more than just exist. Many women return to work or study. Others are able to focus on parenting their children who have suffered trauma due to family violence or the instability of their living situation. WPI’s homes allow them to feel secure. They have the breathing space to overcome the anxiety that goes with not having a safe place to live. They can live with dignity and become involved in their communities.

A social return on investment evaluation showed that every dollar invested in WPI creates more than $11 in social and economic impact. The women we house experience significant improvement in mental and physical health, personal safety, independence, employment, family relationships and positive lifestyle choices. Their children have improved personal well-being, social engagement, family life and educational outcomes. There are also savings to government in avoided health, welfare, housing and justice costs.

Our housing stock has been established through a variety of innovative projects, co-operative partnerships in the public, private and community sectors and with the purchase of housing from private developers. All homes are owned and managed by WPI. Capital funding has been sourced from the Office of Housing, the Victorian Property Fund, the Nation Building Initiative, philanthropic grants, community organisations and borrowings from Bank Australia and NAB.

WPI works with local support agencies to ensure that women and children have connections, supports and links to their communities. This helps them address challenges in their lives, some of which may contributed to them facing homelessness in the past.