Core and Cluster Program

Directorate: Homelessness Housing and Disability

Division: Strategy Policy and Commissioning

Project summary

Focus Area:

• Creating liveable communities

Project objective

Core and cluster is a crisis accommodation model that moves away from a shared house environment, to having fully independent living quarters with private bathroom and kitchen facilities. It combines the services and supports of a traditional refuge with the independent living facilities of transitional accommodation. The delivery and operation of new core and cluster refuges across NSW impacts a diverse group of stakeholders, including women and children experiencing DFV, who may be living with disability.

On 19 October 2021, the NSW Government announced historic investment of $484.3 million, for housing and specialist supports for women and children experiencing domestic and family violence (DFV).

The funding will provide $426.6 million over four years to expand Core and Cluster to deliver and operate new women’s refuges that will support up to an additional 2,900 women and children escaping DFV, each year.

The challenge

Ensuring that the Program considers this client group in terms of the building design and service delivery.

What will success look like?

Both the ‘core’ services and ‘cluster’ accommodation are accessible for people with disability, including incorporating large living spaces, bathrooms and doorways, and ensure benchtops and tables are adjustable for wheelchair users.

Status report

Current Status: Progressing

Date: July 2022

Status Notes:

Stakeholder engagement has occurred during May and June 2022, and it was aimed at supporting stakeholder understanding, and gaining knowledge and insights to inform effective delivery of the new refuges.Feedback received included considering the needs of women and children with disability in terms of the refuge's physical design and service delivery.