Women and children escaping domestic and family violence will benefit from an upgrade of more than a dozen social housing properties in Western Sydney.

Minister for Family and Community Services Brad Hazzard today announced the completion of works on the final two properties in the Blacktown and Liverpool local government areas.

“These 13 properties are critical in providing women and children with the chance to start afresh after experiencing domestic and family violence,” Mr Hazzard said.

“The upgrades will ensure affected families are comfortable and most importantly safe, following a period of great upset and upheaval in their lives.”

The NSW and Commonwealth Governments purchased the 13 x 3 bedroom properties in the Blacktown, Penrith, Campbelltown and Liverpool local government areas for $4.9 million. The final works on the properties cost $300,000.

All 13 homes have now been handed-over to Address Housing to manage, a not-for-profit housing provider specialising in domestic and family violence.

Minister for the Prevention of Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Pru Goward said today’s announcement will support the victims of domestic and family violence.

“The increased supply of housing will help more women and children who leave abusive relationships to start building a new life, safe and free of violence,” Ms Goward said.

The NSW Government is spending a record $182 million this financial year on specialist homelessness services to help close to 55,000 people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness.

An additional $20 million was announced in October 2015 for extra crisis accommodation for domestic violence victims and to ensure all could obtain 24/7 on-call help.