Victoria's first dedicated centre for homeless women

McAuley House, Victoria’s first purpose-built accommodation and support hub for homeless women, opened last Wednesday in the Melbourne suburb of Footscray.

The $11 million building was largely funded through the Institute of the Sisters of Mercy and Papua New Guinea ($7m) and the Victorian Labor government ($4m).

Patrice and Jess, two women who were homeless before coming to McAuley Community Services for Women, spoke at the media launch about the importance of this new building and the support that McAuley gives to women.

This includes finding new housing, access to medical, financial, and legal advice, and assistance, education and employment, and social and recreation programs.

Jocelyn Bignold, CEO for McAuley Community Services for Women, says McAuley House is fresh thinking in design for women who are homeless.