About Us
Our Mission
To provide appropriate and safe residences for emergency, transitional, and/or temporary accommodation for members of the SW Slopes community who find themselves homeless due to crisis, mental illness, and/or domestic violence.
To maintain and continue to improve the residences owned by Margaret House Inc., which provide for emergency, transitional, and/or temporary accommodation for men, women, and children in the SW Slopes of NSW.
To further enhance and support the established crisis accommodation support services (both public & private) currently available for members of the community in the SW Slopes of NSW.
Our Organisation
The Margaret House Refuge (MHR) is a community-run, charitable organisation, providing emergency and temporary accommodation properties for victims of domestic violence, or those who find themselves homeless due to crisis. Our organisation has been operating for 16 years, thanks to the team of voluntary committee members, Margaret House Friends and the many generous donors, who are dedicated to making a reliable difference when families need it most. It was Margaret Brown who was instrumental in making this refuge a reality. Her initial donation was incredibly kind-hearted and this, with other local contributors, allowed the appropriate and safe residency to be purchased and become operational. Currently the Margaret House Refuge is split into three separate living spaces with two, two bedroom units and a ‘tiny house’ for one woman. The spaces are all well fenced, landscaped, and provided with security cameras. In addition, MHR has purchased two, two bedroom units. This has allowed the MHR mission to have an even greater positive impact with this increased accommodation availability. Over the years MHR have continued to work tirelessly to be able to offer these properties for those in crisis. This accommodation is utilized by the Young Crisis Accommodation Centre (YCAC), who support and case manage women, men, youth and families in need, servicing the Young, Harden, Boorowa, Cootamundra and Temora regions.
Meet some of our Team
President | Anna Hayes
I was asked to join the Committee about 10 years ago and found a committee that was full of energy and enthusiasm. I enjoy working with this wonderful group to expand MHR accommodation to meet the increasing demand for our services. It means that I can help our most vulnerable women and children when they find themselves in one of the most difficult situations - fleeing from domestic violence and give them a chance to have a home, provide safety and dignity and give hope. It is one of the most important jobs I do.
Vice President | Sue McGregor
I’m passionate about helping provide security and shelter to those in our community who are most vulnerable. It means a lot - working with amazing people who want to give back fills the soul.
Treasurer | Rob Back
I got roped on to the committee in 2020 and I'm so very glad I was. It's a committee filled with people passionate about making a real difference to the lives of those in our community that need our help. It's just so motivating for us as a committee to hear the feedback and hear the stories of those who we have helped. While it is so tragic that homelessness and domestic violence is growing out of control, it's great to know that we are making a real difference to people's lives, while we search for a solution to the bigger problem.
Committee Member | Ali Hogan
I joined the Margaret House committee to contribute to the community and to help with their mission, providing shelter for those in need. As a relatively new member of the area, working with Margaret House has also allowed me to feel part of the community. It's special to be part of something that has such an impact.
What We've Achieved
2023/2024 FY
327 clients
7 families
received support from YCAC across Young, Cootamundra. Harden, Temora and Boorowa.
and individuals utilised the refuge provided by Margaret House.
3890 total
bed nights were tracked, with one bed night equalling one person receiving accommodation.
Looking into the Future
Building Hope Project
With the current refuge and its three beautiful spaces working so well but at full capacity, the MHR committee are tackling their next major project, more accommodation! A new property was purchased in 2022 and plans are underway for the redevelopment of the two, old style two bedroom units. Once complete MHR will be able to significantly increase residential options on that site.
MHR are also sub-letting a two-bedroom unit for clients of YCAC, further supporting their clients in domestic violence situations or who find themselves homeless due to crisis.
The number of clients utilising the services of YCAC increased by an enormous 44% between 2021/22 year to 2022/23 year. This equates to over one person a day who is homeless due to domestic violence or crisis in the Hilltops region alone.
Resource: Young Witness Article
Margaret House and Young Crisis Accommodation Centre working together
We have found it to be essential to communicate and work together with Young Crisis Accommodation Service (YCAC) who case manage housing support and domestic violence and family support in Young, Harden, Boorowa, Cootamundra and Temora regions. The MHR committee are in awe of the professionalism, devotion and genuine care YCAC offer our wide community. “I know that the residents of Margaret House have been known to call them their angels. They help to shape and change the direction of their lives,” said Anna Hayes about YCAC staff members at the Inaugural Margaret House Refuge Building Hope Ball. This collaborative effort between the Margaret House Refuge committee and YCAC has recently provided enough accommodation for seven family groups who sought assistance through YCAC. In 2024 alone 327 people accessed support from YCAC either for refuge or safe accommodation or to stabilise their tenancy and avoid homelessness and this ‘promotes dignity, empowerment, and a pathway to stability, as mentioned by Kerri Palmer. ‘Thank You to Anna and the dedicated MHR members. Your work and generosity has not gone unnoticed. MHR work tirelessly to look for options for housing solutions for members of this region who are in need and who dedicate an incredible amount of time to upkeep the properties that YCAC are lucky to utilises.’ Stated by Kerri Palmer in the YCAC 23/24 Annual Managers Report. ‘I am consistently blown away by the commitment of the MHR committee and very thankful as are the many clients who access the refuge. The difference you have made to those in the depths of crisis is immeasurable.” MHR and YCAC certainly have a united front in reduce stress on families and individuals at their time of need.
