Ground has officially been broken at the YWCA Canberra YHomes Ainslie development today, Tuesday 17 January, which will soon give shelter to nine vulnerable women in the Canberra community.

The site will house older women experiencing homelessness or women fleeing domestic violence, who are now one step closer to having a safe place to live.

In Canberra in 2020, around 2,000 vulnerable people per month accessed specialised housing services, more than half of whom were women.

The fastest growing cohort of Australians experiencing homelessness are women aged 45 and over, according to the YWCA.

The much-needed purpose-built single-level units will be fully accessible and are able to be modified to any specific needs future residents may have.

Additionally, extensive planning has been completed to ensure the women’s safety from violence.

YWCA Canberra CEO Frances Crimmins is “truly delighted” for nine women to eventually call the Ainslie site home and is grateful for the community donations and government funding that got the project off the ground.

“This facility is in such need. We know that we were in a housing crisis when we decided to seek approval to build supportive housing here over three years ago,” she said.

Ms Crimmins reiterated how thankful she is for the support the YWCA have received from the Canberra community, saying $300,000 has been donated.  

The housing will be supported accommodation, designed to help women and their families escaping domestic violence get back on their feet after experiencing significant trauma.

“It’s really important people understand that when you leave a violent situation, even if you have funds, accessing it due to the process you need can be challenging.

“So, this is supported accommodation, where some people might not have any income to initially pay rent.

“So, it’s really important to have safe places for you to go to when you make that decision to leave, and that’s what this haven will be,” she said.

Ainslie Residents Association petition delayed approval process

The YWCA have been seeking permission since 2020 to build on the Ainslie site, but despite concerns by the local residents, the development is expected to be housing vulnerable women by early 2024.  

The Ainslie Residents Association launched an initial petition back in 2020 and claimed: “We are not opposed to social housing but believe it should be on residential land and that community facilities land should be retained to engage, enrich and provide important facilities for the local community use.”

• Read more: YWCA Ainslie housing development for vulnerable women to proceed (29 June, 2022)

The Association also called for a moratorium on social housing being developed on CFZ land while a review is conducted. They also claimed the site would cause a “significant impact on local residents”.

ACT Minister for Planning and Land Management Mick Gentleman enacted his call-in powers late last year to get the project across the line after the Ainslie Residents Association lodged an appeal to the ACT Civil and Administrative Tribunal regarding the site’s approval.

Mr Gentleman today congratulated YWCA for their advocacy for women in Canberra and said he was “pleased” to be able to assist in the development’s approval.  

The use of his call-in powers was not a light-hearted decision, Mr Gentleman said, but in this circumstance, it was the “right decision”.

“I think we take a lot of evidence into account when we make these decisions, but it is the right decision for here. It is the right decision for Canberra,” he said.

“It follows your values, our values, and Canberra and its values as well.”

Ms Crimmins said she understands local residents may fear change in their community and came to an agreement with the Association to build nine units instead of 16, but she “knows these women will become very good neighbours”.

“We have over 50 women in our properties across Canberra already, and they are part of their community, excellent neighbours, and make brilliant tenants,” she said.

ACT Minister for Women Yvette Berry expressed her own frustrations over the development’s delay due to the Ainslie Residents Association’s appeal and acknowledged Ms Crimmins’ persistence to ensure the project went ahead.

“It only seems like yesterday, Francis, when we were raging with each other and venting with each other over the phone, and sometimes in person, about not understanding how anybody could possibly oppose providing a home for people who need it most, and that’s vulnerable women,” Ms Berry said.

“But we can’t keep delaying these kinds of projects for frivolous or vexatious claims around it being something that’s going to interrupt the community or change community life. This is about building our community and making it even stronger.”

Canberra Liberals concerned about call-in powers

Attending the sod turning today, Leader of the Canberra Liberals, Elizabeth Lee, said although her party has “reservations” about the use of call-in powers there’s “clearly a need” for housing for vulnerable women and children.

“We are always going to be open to looking at when very, very strong powers like the call-in powers are being used, and we certainly still have reservations about the processes that have been taking place …,” Ms Lee said.

“But there’s no doubt that of course, in terms of housing that is required for vulnerable women and children, there is clearly a need for it and whatever options we can look at to ensure that that is addressed, we will be open to.”

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