Sanctuary Housing Women’s Shelters

What Sanctuary Housing Women’s Shelters does

Sanctuary Housing Limited is an Australian not-for-profit charity structured as a public company limited by guarantee and registered with the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (ACNC), holding Deductible Gift Recipient (DGR) status with the Australian Taxation Office (ABN 89 620 704 332). Founded in 2017 by Nicole Harcourt and headquartered in Sydney, the organization operates three Women's Shelters open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, providing crisis accommodation, case management referrals, emotional and mental health support, and transition assistance to long-term housing for women, children, and families escaping domestic violence in the Sydney/NSW region. The charity supports over 100 vulnerable women and children at any one time and assists more than 1,200 women and their children annually, operating at approximately 90% year-round occupancy. Its core program is the SAFE HOME Program, which coordinates confidential motel-style accommodation with private bathrooms, kitchenette access, and secure self-contained spaces, alongside essential support items including meals, toiletries, clothing, furniture packs, and care packs.

A distinguishing operational feature is the organization's acceptance of pets — dogs, cats, birds, hamsters, rabbits, and pet rats — making it one of the few Australian women's shelters that allows animals to remain with their owners during crisis. Sanctuary Housing does not employ proprietary technology platforms; service delivery is managed through a website (sanctuaryhousing.org.au), email communications, and inbound referral pathways from domestic violence hotlines (Link2Home, DV Line), NSW Police, and partner organizations. The charity is self-sustained and does not receive direct government funding. Revenue is generated entirely through tax-deductible charitable donations (A$2 and over, via PayPal at suggested tiers of A$25, A$50, A$75, or A$100), corporate partnerships and sponsorships with named partners including Amdocs, Macquarie Bank, Myer, ICAP, and Resimac, community fundraising events (Lions Club, Cranbrook Boys School, ICAP charity days), and in-kind donations (notably OzHarvest meals and Amdocs furniture packs). The organization operates with a small team of approximately 7 employees under founder Nicole Harcourt and Program Director Simone Pharon, governed by a Governance Board, and has articulated a long-term vision for a large-scale housing project to enable transition into stable longer-term accommodation.

Name

Sanctuary Housing Women’s Shelters

Legal name

Sanctuary Housing Limited

Website

https://sanctuaryhousing.org.au

Company type

Private

Founded year

2017

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Sanctuary Housing Limited is an Australian not-for-profit charity operating three Sydney Women's Shelters 24/7, providing crisis accommodation, case management, and transition support to over 1,200 women and children escaping domestic violence annually, funded entirely through donations and corporate partnerships.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Crisis Accommodation and Domestic Violence Support Services

NAICS

Temporary Shelters (624221), Community Housing Services (62422), Emergency and Other Relief Services (624230)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Housing Assistance & Homeless Services (BPAGAEAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Homelessness Prevention, Shelter & Supportive Housing Services (BPAIANAC), Domestic Violence & Abuse Support Services (BPAGAEAD)

Keywords

• Women's shelter services
• Crisis accommodation
• Domestic violence support
• Emergency housing
• Charity housing services

Headquarters

HQ city

Sydney

HQ country

Australia

HQ region

Oceania

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Supply Chain, Others

Revenue model

1. Charitable Donations: Sanctuary Housing relies entirely on charitable donations from individuals, corporations, and community organizations. The organization does not receive direct government funding and operates as a self-sustained charity. Donations are tax-deductible for contributions of $2 or more. The charity coordinates accommodation support, meals, toiletries, clothing, furniture, care packs, and transport assistance funded through donations.
2. Corporate Partnerships and Sponsorships: Corporate partners provide funding, in-kind donations, and fundraising support. Partners include Amdocs (furniture packs), Myer (Community Foundation), Macquarie Bank (volunteers and donations), and other corporate sponsors. These relationships provide both financial support and operational assistance such as volunteers, fundraising events, and donated goods.
3. Community Fundraising Events: The organization benefits from community-led fundraising activities organized by partners such as Lions Club, ICAP charity days, school fundraising events, and corporate fundraising dinners. These events raise funds for the SAFE HOME Program supporting accommodation and essential items for vulnerable women and children.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Sanctuary Housing Women's Shelters operates as a registered charity providing crisis accommodation and safe housing for women and children escaping domestic violence. The organization runs 3 Sydney women's shelters open 24/7, 365 days a year, supporting over 100 vulnerable women and children at any one time through confidential accommodation pathways, meals, essential care items, case management referrals, emotional and mental health support, and transition assistance to long-term housing.

Product overview

Sanctuary Housing operates as a nonprofit charity providing a coordinated suite of housing and support services for vulnerable women, children, and families escaping domestic violence. The core offering is the SAFE HOME Program, which encompasses confidential accommodation pathways, case management referral services, emotional and mental health support, and transitioning assistance to long-term housing. All programs operate 24/7, 365 days a year and are designed to keep families and pets together during crisis periods.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• SAFE HOME: A program designed to assist vulnerable women, children, and families through confidential accommodation pathways, practical support initiatives, and community-funded assistance programs that prioritise safety, dignity, stability, and long-term positive outcomes.

Products and services

• SAFE HOME Program Primary program providing confidential accommodation pathways, practical support initiatives, and community-funded assistance for vulnerable women, children, and families escaping domestic violence. Includes motel-style accommodation with private bathrooms, kitchenette access, and secure self-contained spaces.
• Safe Homes Accommodation Lifesaving safe housing program supporting women and children escaping domestic and family violence, providing 24/7, 365 days a year operation with meals, toiletries, clothing assistance, and pet-friendly accommodation.
• Case Management Programs Referral services providing case management support to women and children staying at Sanctuary Housing, essential for helping women transition back into everyday life and move toward long-term stability.
• Emotional and Mental Health Support Community programs assisting women with mental health and emotional support as a vital component of making a new beginning after escaping domestic violence situations.
• Transitioning to Long-Term Accommodation Support program helping women transition to longer-term accommodation with placement packs including washing machines, fridges, TVs, and essentials such as pillows, doonas, and sheet sets.

Quantifiable outcome

• 1200+ women and children supported per year
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• AmdocscoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2017Amdocs has been a great supporter providing furniture packs to women and families leaving the shelter, including enough furniture for a small family apartment or house with washing machines, fridges, and TVs.
• Cranbrook Boys SchoolminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2017Sanctuary Housing has engaged with students to educate about Domestic Violence and assisted them in fundraising through events such as Sleeping Rough Nights, Mufti Days, and Parents Association activities.
• Lions ClubminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2017Lions Club of Sydney Waratah fundraises for Sanctuary Housing at their fundraising dinner events.
• Macquarie BankcoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2017Ongoing relationship with Macquarie Bank partnering on charity webinar awareness days for domestic violence and welcoming corporate volunteers to do maintenance at the shelter.
• ResimacminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2017Resimac fundraised at an International Women's Day event in March, donating proceeds to Sanctuary Housing.
• We Future LeaderscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2017Partnership with WeFuture Leaders to fund the Break the Barrier program, providing mentors and educational resources for children staying at the shelter who are missing out on school.
• Inner West CouncilcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2017Sanctuary Housing was invited to become a member of the Inner West Council NGO Forum, working collaboratively with over fifteen essential community services to support community strength and resilience, identify systemic problems, undertake advocacy, share information and resources, and coordinate service delivery.
• NSW PolicecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2017Members of the Inner West Police Area Command DV team have worked with Sanctuary Housing to secure emergency accommodation on behalf of victims of domestic violence, promoting a safer community for victims.
• OzHarvestcoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2017Sanctuary Housing is a proud recipient of OzHarvest pre-prepared meals, providing delicious meals to women staying at the shelter.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Baptist Care Australia: Multi-state community services organization providing crisis accommodation, DV support, and family services. Comparable mission and services; operates at larger scale across multiple Australian states.
• Salvation Army Australia: Major national charity providing crisis accommodation, DV services, and homelessness support across Australia. Operates women's refuges and broader social services; a scaled incumbent in the same category.
• Mission Australia: Large national community services organization providing homelessness, housing, and DV-related services across Australia. Larger and more diversified than Sanctuary Housing but operates in the same crisis accommodation and social housing space.
• Wesley Mission: Large Australian faith-based community organization providing homelessness, DV, and family support services including crisis accommodation. Comparable mission, broader service portfolio, and much larger scale.
• Anglicare Australia: Network of Anglican community service organizations delivering homelessness, DV, and family services nationally. Operates women's refuges and similar crisis accommodation services to comparable beneficiary cohorts.

Direct peers

• YWCA Australia: National women's organization providing accommodation, DV support, and crisis services across Australia. Direct peer — same beneficiary cohort and crisis accommodation offering, with broader geographic reach.
• Women's Community Shelters: Australian charity operating a network of women's shelters across NSW with similar crisis accommodation and case management services. Closest direct peer — comparable model, geography, beneficiary cohort, and donation-based funding approach.

Others

• OzHarvest: Australian food rescue charity providing meals to vulnerable populations including Sanctuary Housing. Operates as a key in-kind partner (meals) rather than a direct competitor; comparable as a fellow Australian community-services nonprofit.
• Domestic Violence NSW: Peak body for DV services in NSW. Not a direct operator but a sector coordinator and advocacy organization; comparable in that it sits within the same DV ecosystem and shapes funding/coordination for operators like Sanctuary Housing.

Regional players

• Women's Refuge New Zealand: National collective of women's refuges in New Zealand providing crisis accommodation and DV services. Same service model, similar scale per shelter, but operating in a different geography.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/sanctuary-housing-aus

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Sanctuary Housing Women’s Shelters