Not-for-profit group Housing Choices Australia last week announced the impending purchases — along with 58 more across Victoria — as part of the $50 million Rapid Housing Assistance program.

The program comes as part of the State Government’s $152 million housing blitz responding to the royal commission into family violence.

HCA managing director Michael Lennon said the homes bought through the program would be located where they were most needed by victims of family violence.

“Often these people are leaving extremely traumatic situations with little more than the clothes on their backs,” Mr Lennon said. “They need security and certainty to build a new life and long term housing is at the heart of that.”

“Importantly, the housing we provide will be located close to public transport and key services including schools so these families are connected to their community.”

HCA will partner with Berry Street, Wintringham Housing and the In Touch Multicultural Centre Against Family Violence to deliver the housing.

Berry Street chief executive Sandie de Wolf said the properties would give vulnerable women and children a “new start”

“We know that the threat of homelessness is a major barrier preventing women leaving an abusive situation, and we know that threat is real because family violence is a leading cause of homelessness for women and children in Victoria,” Ms de Wolf said.

In Touch Multicultural Centre Against Family Violence chief executive Maya Avdibegovic said some of the housing would be made available to women and children from Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) communities.

“Family violence is extremely traumatic for those involved but for women and children from CALD backgrounds who face multiple barriers, it’s often even more complex and difficult,” Ms Avdibegovic said.

Wintringham acting chief executive Michael Deschepper said the need for social housing was at a critical juncture and the program was a “step in the right direction.”

For more information visit housingchoices.org.au