DOMESTIC and family violence (DFV) support providers across Queensland can now apply for grants from the new $2.5m DFV Rent Assist Brokerage scheme to assist victim-survivors with housing issues.
Up to $50,000 will be available to each successful DFV service under the scheme to help specialist DFV services across the state to assist victim-survivors of DFV to either secure or maintain housing.
Types of assistance the funds are expected to provide include, but are not limited to, are rental arrears, where a debt presents an imminent risk of homelessness, rental debts from a previous tenancy that would inhibit a private rental market application, rental assistance or the cost of repairs to damage to a rental property caused by DFV.
In addition, service providers have flexibility in the way they distribute funds which can also be tailored to a client’s needs, including purchasing food or even white goods.
Access to funds has been streamlined with minimal red tape, allowing successful service provider applicants to provide much-needed support for victim-survivors in a swift and cost-effective manner.
“We are in the middle of a rental crisis and the last thing a victim-survivor of domestic and family violence desperately requiring accommodation needs is more stress about having a roof over their head for them and their children,” Attorney-General and Minister for Justice and Minister for the Prevention of Domestic and Family Violence Yvette D’Athh said.
DFV Rent Assist Brokerage funds will be utilised in conjunction with other housing products available to assist victim-survivors to access or maintain housing in the private rental market.
For more information and to lodge an application, see the DJAG web page here.
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