Project Paperbark

Safe and supported: A new beginning for two families   

Two families recently moved into the first homes delivered under the Paperbark Project, a significant initiative that provides safe, fully furnished housing for women and children escaping violence. Located in Melbourne’s southeast, these homes represent a critical step in addressing immediate needs while paving the way for long-term stability.  

The Project  

The Paperbark Project is part of the $1.3 billion Safe Places Federal initiative, funded by the Australian Government under the Safe Places Emergency Accommodation Program. This initiative is strategically aligned with the goal of creating more places to stay in areas with the highest demand, with a commitment to providing 1,000 houses by 2035. It focuses on increasing emergency accommodation for women and children experiencing violence, particularly those from vulnerable groups, including CALD backgrounds, First Nations communities, and people living with disabilities.  

The two homes – the first of twelve planned for the City of Casey – are a testament to the power of collaboration. This project is supported by a network of dedicated partners, including iHi, Soho, and Mirvac, who are overseeing the development. These homes are designed to cater to diverse needs, ensuring they provide not just shelter but a foundation for a brighter future.  

Furnished by volunteers from Regenerate Org Ltd, a grassroots organisation committed to practical support for families leaving violence, these homes offer up to 12 months of stability, coupled with tailored support and housing pathways. Claire, General Manager at Regenerate, highlighted the program’s significance: “We at Regenerate Org are committed to supporting this project and are very excited about the potential impact it will have on the community. Providing up to 12 months of stability, coupled with tailored support and housing pathways, aligns perfectly with our mission.”  

The Paperbark Project exemplifies wayss’ dual focus: addressing immediate problems while creating long-term solutions. It is a significant step forward in delivering sustainable, agile, and impactful housing solutions for those who need them most.  

A place to breathe again  

A mother in her late twenties, 30 weeks pregnant, moved into one of the properties with her young child after spending 12 weeks at a shelter. She had endured an eight-year relationship characterised by coercive control, physical violence, and psychological abuse, including threats to her life and harm to her pet. She had been living in a constant state of fear.  

Ongoing outreach support will help her achieve goals around mental health care, legal safety (including an intervention order), and preparations for her newborn.  

Once in, she described the home as exceeding all expectations:  

“It reminded me that I’m worthy of safety and a better life. The space is more than just housing – it’s a fresh start. Not having to pay bond or rent in advance has taken huge pressure off. I finally feel like I can breathe.”  

With nearby access to schools, childcare, medical services, and shops, she feels supported to rebuild daily routines and reclaim her role as a parent.  

A home that heals  

The second home was offered to a mother in her mid-twenties from a CALD background, along with her two young children. She had lived in a refuge for 11 weeks after escaping a violent relationship that began when she was just 16. For more than a decade, she experienced physical and sexual abuse, coercive control, and threats of honour-based violence. She was isolated from her community and denied opportunities to study or work.  

Although her initial case plan goals have been met, she continues to receive outreach support as she transitions into longer-term housing.  

On receiving the keys, she shared:  

“For the first time, I feel like I have choices. The home is safe, beautiful, and close to everything I need. It’s helping me feel in control again.”  

She identified the home as a critical turning point in her recovery, offering not only physical safety, but the dignity and stability required to heal and rebuild her life.  

Beginning again  

These two homes mark the first step in a much larger commitment. As part of Project Paperbark – one of three initiatives under the $1.3 billion Safe Places program across the southeast – a total of twelve homes will be delivered to support women and children experiencing family violence.  

This is more than just a housing project. It reflects wayss’ long-term strategy to create safe, purpose-built homes in areas with the greatest need. We are focused on practical, scalable solutions that meet both immediate needs and support long-term recovery and independence.  

Backed by government, partners and philanthropists, and designed to support diverse needs, these homes lay the groundwork for a safer future, offering not only shelter, but the stability needed to heal, rebuild and begin again.