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A chance to find stability and the foundation for a brighter future is transforming the lives of women and children. Fifteen years ago, the Victorian Women’s Housing Association (VWHA) was the first Victorian organisation to provide long term housing for women. Since then the pressure for housing has magnified. ‘There are now 230,000 Australians on public housing waiting lists and about 85% of people seeking housing assistance are single mothers’, says the association’s CEO, Jeanette Large. ‘Our mission, to build and develop affordable housing for women in need, has never been more pressing.’

Jeanette Large, CEO, Victorian Women’s Housing Association

VWHA has 65 properties providing homes for 175 women and children, and it plans to more than treble this number to 200 homes by 2014. This would enable it to support women in metropolitan Melbourne and regional Victoria in addition to the existing homes it provides in Melbourne’s northern and western suburbs.

The association’s focus is on housing women and children escaping domestic violence, women leaving correctional facilities and reuniting with their children, mothers on low income, young single women and older women.  Linking clients with relevant support services is another key element.

Last year, VWHA was the first affordable housing association to put its business under the microscope, by analysing its social return on investment¹. The findings showed that for every dollar the association spent, the conservative return on investment was $3.14. Put another way, from a $7.45 million investment, VWHA and its partners created $30 million in value for tenants, funders, developers and Victorian communities.

The research identified tangible benefits from providing women with a safe, well built, well located, affordable home. It helped break the inter-generational poverty cycle, saved money through avoided welfare and counselling costs and reduced prison re-entry rates. The increased stability led to an improvement in family relationships, performance at school and the mental health of children. Women in stable housing were also more likely to find a job or return to study.

VWHA has banked with mecu since 2009 ‘We found mecu had a totally different approach to the other banks’, Ms Large said. ‘They invited us to talk with them and they were absolutely responsive at every level and every stage. mecu’s involvement was invaluable when it came to accessing Commonwealth Nation Building and State government funds’, she added.

VWHA has established a Social Investment Fund for Women and Children to meet the ongoing housing need. Contributions are welcome.

In June, VWHA won the AHI (Australasian Housing Institute) Award for Leading Practice for its Social Return on Investment study. VWHA's Awards application was supported by nominations from Berry Street and architect, Dimity Reed. On the strength of the positive outcomes which demonstrated how VWHA's safe and affordable housing can break the cycle of poverty, mecu has commissioned a nation-wide social return on investment study of community housing.

Victorian Women’s Housing Association owns and manages six apartments for single, low income women in a new development in the inner Melbourne suburb of  Brunswick.

mecu is committed to meeting the needs of community sector organisations, including schools and non-government organisations. Talk to our community banking specialists to find out about our superior service and products designed for community groups. Email communitybanking@mecu.com.au or call 132 888 today!