A first-home buyer has purchased a property in Melbourne so that victims of domestic violence can live in it while she rents elsewhere.
First-home buyer Sherele Moody has been saving for years to purchase a home for at-risk women. Picture: Supplied
Trigger warning – this story includes details of child and female abuse.
Sherele Moody has named her first home “Stacey’s Sanctuary”, in memory of nine-year-old Stacey-Ann Tracy who was murdered by Ms Moody’s stepfather in Queensland in 1990. Stacey wasn’t his first victim. He also murdered five-year-old Sandra Dorothy Bacon in 1962.
The horrific loss of two innocent children at the hands of her stepfather propelled Ms Moody to save for a property she could buy outright and use as housing for women escaping violence.
“It’s really important that these girls’ stories remain in the public conscience. If I had two apartments the other one would be Sandra’s Sanctuary,” Ms Moody said.
It took three decades of saving funds through her work as a journalist before Ms Moody was able to achieve her goal. This year, at the age of 54, she purchased a one-bedroom dwelling located in the inner suburbs of Melbourne, which is close to public transport and not too far from the CBD.
Giving at-risk women a home
Ms Moody runs the Red Heart Campaign, which maps femicides (female homicides) across Australia. Being mortgage-free means she can continue to rent elsewhere with her partner, while the apartment she has bought provides suitable housing for those escaping domestic violence.
Although she could generate rental income from the property if she wanted to, Ms Moody said, “I want women at risk to have a home and this is an excellent way to do so”.
Ms Moody's first property purchase will house at-risk women. Picture: Supplied
For now, the property is not suitable for Ms Moody and her partner.
“The apartment is not big enough for us, we both run businesses and need space. We can’t afford to buy a house in Melbourne.”
Protecting women and children with housing
Following settlement of the apartment this month, Ms Moody plans to partner with a First Nations women-led organisation, making the apartment available to Aboriginal women who are fleeing dangerous environments.
“The agency provides holistic wrap-around support for women leaving violence - they set women up to succeed but also encourage them in their autonomy and strength.”
“My grandmother, a proud Gamilaraay woman, was married to a white man (my grandfather) who subjected her to high levels of abuse. She was forced to stay in the home with him and only found safety when he died,” Ms Moody said and added that her nan went on to become her “safe space”, shielding Ms Moody from violence in her own childhood home.
The unit has been named "Stacey’s Sanctuary" in memory of nine-year-old Stacey-Ann Tracy. Picture: Supplied
According to Ms Moody, Victoria is among hardest places in the country to secure low-cost transitional housing. “We have so many women who cannot be accommodated, because we don’t have the housing stock.”
Through her work, Ms Moody also understands that if women don’t fall into the “high risk zone” with the police and housing services, it’s hard for them to secure long-term housing.
“The barriers are huge and women are dying because they are not able to get homes,” Ms Moody said.
She is proud to provide this accommodation, which will be transitional for those who are out of emergency refuges, but not yet able to secure a private rental.
“Women deserve a place that’s nice and secure, clean and well cared for. Financial insecurity should not be an impediment to that,” Ms Moody said.
Crowdfunding the renovation
Although she owns the apartment, Ms Moody has called on the public to help her fund the renovation so that she can provide quality accommodation for the women who will temporarily call the property home.
She says the apartment’s floors need work and the kitchen’s 30-year-old oven and hotplates need to be replaced. CCTV and an alarm system will also be installed. The aim is to raise $30,000 and she is well on her way.
A crowdfunding page aims to raise $30,000 for minor updates and a new security system. Picture: Supplied
Once the works are completed, the first women will be able to move in. The length of time each woman stays will be determined by her specific needs - some will stay longer than others.
Sacrificing personal security for others
Ms Moody’s plan is to provide housing to women, free of charge, for the next 10-15 years. However she says that in time she will also have to think about her own housing security – in 15 years she will be almost 70.
“It will no doubt be used 15 years down the track for us,” she says, but for now she is happy to make the sacrifice for those who need the apartment more. “This provides support that gives women autonomy as they’re leaving violence.”
In memory of nine-year-old Stacey-Ann Tracy. Picture: Supplied
However Ms Moody concludes that her contribution to Australia’s housing crisis can only help one woman at a time. “A lot of women leaving violence can’t afford to rent. We need more homes.”
You can visit Sherele Moody’s renovation crowdfunding GoFundMe campaign here.
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