Family violence behind rising homelessness

Seventy per cent more Victorian women have sought housing help because of domestic violence over just four years.

Concept of fear, shame, domestic violence. Woman covers her face her hands on scratched background. Source: iStockphoto

The number of Victorian women seeking homelessness assistance because of family violence has risen 70 per cent in four years, new data has revealed.

As Victorians go to the polls to choose the government for the next four years, the state's peak body for homelessness has released the alarming statistic in a desperate call for more social housing.

"We've had a tidal wave of new people needing help, but we haven't seen a tidal wave of low-cost housing or funding," Council of Homeless Persons chief executive Jenny Smith said