Donations fund new women's refuge after government funding denied

Mary's House Services in Sydney's north plans to open a second refuge for women and children fleeing domestic violence. The charity purchased the property through donations after failing to secure federal government funding. The purchase is set to be finalized in October, with the refuge expected to open in 2027. Mary's House Services has been operating in Sydney's north for over a decade, providing refuge and support to over 20,000 women and children escaping domestic violence.

The organization recorded a 63% increase in client referrals in 2025 compared to the previous year. In the 2024-25 financial year, 176 refuge accommodation referrals were declined due to lack of vacancy. The charity applied for funding through Housing Australia's National Housing Infrastructure Facility Crisis and Transitional Housing program, but the application was unsuccessful.

The rejection cited that the project did not provide an uplift in housing supply, lacked sufficient funding, and received low overall priority from the NSW government. Mary's House Services turned to its philanthropic networks, securing the funding through donations. The new refuge will consist of self-contained apartments for women and children, offering temporary crisis housing primarily for women and children of all ages, including families with pets.

The charity plans to employ more specialist social workers and trauma-informed counsellors to support hundreds of victim-survivors annually.