Victims of domestic violence have been left with limited options.
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The only motel in the Southern Highlands to supply emergency accommodation to vulnerable families has been blacklisted due to safety concerns.
Reports have surfaced of women and children from the region who have had to sleep in cars or couch surf to escape violence and abuse.
Through Housing NSW, emergency accommodation which consists of four days in a hotel or motel, is available to domestic violence victims.
The only motel in the region to still offer this service was deemed unsafe for mothers and their children by Housing NSW.
Project co-coordinator for SHAW, Erin Nichols, expressed concern that families were still seeking refuge in the motel.
"What’s happening is that people are making their own arrangements and they are taking themselves somewhere unsafe," said Nichols.
"There is quite a bit of drug dealing that goes on out of there and also some prostitution."
The number of providers to offer emergency accommodation in the Highlands has dwindled.
"No hotels or motels in the area are signing up for the program," Nichols said.
"Most motels have had a story where they’ve had someone come in, maybe they have been drug affected, and the room hasn’t been as nice as when they arrived."
Other housing options in the Southern Highlands are limited.
"It’s hard to get into the private rental market, especially if you have kids, and then if you throw a dog or a cat in the mix you’re screwed," said Nichols.
Housing NSW recommend that victims in need of emergency accommodation contact their nearest women's refuge.
There are currently no women's refuges in the Southern Highlands.
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