Houses to Homes supports young mothers and children against homelessness

Aug 21, 2024

Did you know nearly 1 in 4 children and young people aged between 12 and 24 experience homelessness?

Catholic Care Western Sydney and the Blue Mountains (WSBM) recently hosted a morning tea and tour of its residences to raise awareness of its vital ‘Houses to Homes’ initiative, as part of Homelessness Week (5-11 August).

Catholic Care WSBM, Diocese of Parramatta and Department of Communities and Justice representatives at a Houses 2 Homes residence in Western Sydney.

Catholic Care WSBM, Diocese of Parramatta and Department of Communities and Justice representatives at a Houses to Homes residence in Western Sydney.

Houses to Homes is a social services initiative in Western Sydney and the Blue Mountains, which supports pregnant women and mothers aged between 16 and 25 in urgent need of a place to stay with their children.

A morning tea gathering in one of the homes helped raise awareness of this vital program.

Catholic Care’s Executive Director Helen Emmerson said Houses to Homes provides temporary accommodation in discreet residential locations across Blacktown and Parramatta for up to two years, to enable vulnerable young women to access the support they need.

“We really wanted to bring this vital service into the spotlight and show everyone the wonderful work that we’re doing here,” Helen said.

The secure, warm and comfortable on-site and off-site residential homes are only “the start of the journey” for these women.

The homes are warm, comfortable and secure, providing a safe place for young women and children at risk of homelessness.

Many have experienced significant trauma following domestic and family violence, sexual abuse, job losses, and health impacts. They often arrive at Catholic Care Western Sydney and the Blue Mountains (WSBM) with little more than a plastic bag of belongings. Some do not even have a blanket or little socks for their baby.

“For a lot of these young women, this is actually when the trauma sets in,” Helen said.

This is why Catholic Care WSBM is working to provide at-risk women and their children with holistic support for their physical, emotional, mental and financial health and wellbeing.

“What we do here is just so much more than just providing secret accommodation,” she said.

Head of Services Brooke McGilvray said the Houses to Homes program includes referral pathways towards long-term stable housing, case management and family support, home visits and guidance, empowerment, advocacy, access to parenting programs, living skills support, employment and education opportunities, as well as assistance in connecting with other services in the community.

“We’re a very small piece of the puzzle at Houses to Homes but we play quite a vital role across Western Sydney and the Blue Mountains,” Brooke said.

“With more women and children coming to us than we can currently support, we need more community donations to help expand this critical service,” she said.

Houses to Homes Program Coordinator Maree Hanna has seen the impact of the program first-hand. She provides ongoing support, care, and a ‘cup of tea’ whenever the women need it – even long after they have left the program.

“The women will sometimes call me and ask to visit for a cup of tea, or to request something small like cotton buds or a blanket for their baby,” Maree said.

“It opens the door to a deeper conversation on how they are coping, and how we can continue to give them guidance and support.”

The homes offered by Catholic Care WSBM are warm, comforting, and well-stocked for young mothers, and situated discreetly in residential environments, with integrated 24/7 security monitoring for safety reasons. The on-site residences feature separate, clean and private bedrooms, a shared laundry, private yard, and common area for the women and children to connect with each other.

“I want it to look and feel like a home, not an office,” Maree said, adding that the experience of supporting women and their children during a time of crisis and helping them get back on their feet was extremely rewarding.

“We run cooking lessons where they come over for a meal, and we work with local suppliers, such as Oz Harvest and s26 for baby formula – because formula can be expensive and some of the girls can’t afford it.” she said.

“I feel very blessed and privileged to help, support and guide these women.”