A Tauranga service helping high-risk victims of domestic abuse feel safer is being extended by an extra 12 months thanks to a $500,000 boost from the Government.

Shine safe@home Tauranga advocate Liz Flaherty. Photo: File.

Safe@home, delivered by Auckland charity Shine and supported by the Government, helps make victims' homes safer from attack by replacing glass panelled doors with solid doors, installing security lights and monitored personal alarms, replacing locks and repairing broken windows.

The programme is currently offered in Tauranga, Auckland, North Shore, Counties Manukau and Christchurch.

An extra 154 families will benefit from the Government funding programme, which is part of an overall spend of $5.9 million on grants and services for victims of serious crime funded through the Offender Levy.

Justice Minister Judith Collins says the investment means the programme will be extended by one year from July 1 2014 to June 30 2015.

'Safe@home has so far helped keep over 400 families safe from domestic abuse without them having to leave their own homes,” says Judith.

'As a result vulnerable women and children avoid the trauma of having to relocate and are instead supported to stay where their established support networks such as neighbours and school friends are.”

Shine safe@home Tauranga advocate Liz Flaherty says it is rewarding the organisation can continue supporting families at risk of serious harm from domestic abuse.

The extension allows at least another 30 Tauranga families to be integrated into the programme.

Since it was introduced in Tauranga, the programme has helped about 65 families re-fit their homes with security measures.

'It's really practical resources for people who have been highly victimised by domestic violence and continues to be a threat to them,” says Liz.

'We have tailored security upgrades and we also do a lot with safety plans and risk assessments as well. And we can put in monitored alarms that can get the police there quickly for help.”

Shine communications director Holly Carrington is delighted the organisation's work is being recognised as a valuable part of the community.

Holly says the programme is very well received nationwide with other community based services happy to coordinate with Shine on potential family needing support.

'We knew there was a huge demand but going into the places where we have extended the services, like Tauranga, we have had a huge uptake of the services,” says Holly.

'There are so many families out there that are at extremely high risk but want to stay in their own homes.”