Women’s Property Initiatives (WPI) is a not-for-profit, community housing organisation that creates new beginnings for women and children facing homelessness, by providing permanent and affordable homes, access to support networks and ongoing advocacy. We believe that everyone is entitled to a safe and secure home and that women face the greatest disadvantage in terms of their ability to afford one. Women earn less, have less access to employment opportunities and often have limits on their ability to work because they are caregivers. WPI currently provides high-quality, long-term homes for over 200 women and children around Melbourne. Rents don’t exceed 30% of household income, giving our tenants the financial capacity to do more than just exist. Many women return to work or study. Others can focus on parenting their children who have suffered trauma due to family violence or the instability of their living situation. WPI’s homes allow them to feel secure. They have the breathing space to overcome the anxiety that goes with not having a safe place to live. They can live with dignity and become involved in their communities. We work with local support agencies to ensure that women and children have connections, supports and links to their communities to address challenges in their lives, some of which may contributed to them facing housing crisis.