Young parents in Queensland, women and their children fleeing family and domestic violence in Victoria and single mother families around the country – all supported by organisations recently awarded grants through the Sidney Myer Fund’s Inclusion & Equality Program.

Almost $1.5 million dollars in untied, multi-year grants have been awarded across three organisations, within the Inclusion & Equality Program’s focus area of supporting low income families to thrive in secure housing.

The Lady Musgrave Trust provides supportive, long-term housing for young women and their children in Queensland, continuing a 140 year-long tradition. Its properties in Logan and Ipswich are currently home to 15 young women and their children, with more properties planned on the Gold Coast.

“…funding support from the SMF … has enabled the LMT to invest in further developing our organisational capability and capacity to deliver on our purpose to break the cycle of homelessness for young women and their children - increasing the LMT’s capacity to [empower] young women, and inspire collaborations and stronger communities”. Victoria Parker, CEO LMT

In Victoria, McAuley Community Services for Women provides temporary accommodation, independent housing and supported community care for women and their children escaping family and domestic violence, and those facing homelessness.

Across Australia, housing is top of the list of concerns for single mothers and their children. National peak organisation Single Mother Families Australia advocates strongly for the rights and economic wellbeing of single mother families, highlighting the link between constraints on income, including unpaid child support, and their ability to obtain and retain secure housing.

Sidney Myer Fund’s untied grants over multiple years provide organisations flexibility as to how funds are deployed. The untied nature enables organisations to identify and invest in what is most needed to advance their mission, whether it is core costs, organisational development, new systems, meeting emerging opportunities, or even building reserves. Multi-year grants support planning, decrease resourcing uncertainty and can build momentum.