Homelessness among women in South Australia has more than tripled in the past decade, fuelled by rising domestic violence, cost-of-living pressures, and a housing crisis. 

With domestic and family violence now the leading cause of homelessness for women, a new women-only overnight space has opened at the WestCare Centre in Adelaide as part of the state’s Code Red and Code Blue extreme weather response. 

The initiative offers targeted support to those most at risk during periods of extreme heat or cold. 

The space provides beds, sleeping bags, access to showers and laundry facilities, and a nourishing evening meal. Critically, it also connects women with support services that are often the first step toward long-term safety and stability. The space is staffed overnight by three female workers, with a security guard nearby. 

“This space is about matching our response to what the community needs,” said Stefano Tocci, WestCare Centre Manager 

It was developed in direct response to feedback from women seeking a safe, private alternative to mixed-gender sleeping areas. 

“The response from the women in our community so far has been really meaningful,” Stefano said. “They say, ‘I feel safe. I feel heard. I feel cared for.’” 

As demand continues to rise, the women-only space is delivering more than a place to sleep—it’s becoming a critical frontline response for women with nowhere else to turn.