EQUITABLE AND AFFORDABLE HOUSING

EQUITABLE AND AFFORDABLE HOUSING SOLUTIONS FOR SURVIVORS OF ECONOMIC ABUSE

A Place to Heal, Grow, and Flourish

For survivors of domestic violence and Economic Abuse, having access to safe and affordable housing is absolutely vital. Unfortunately, due to coerced debt and poor credit scores, many survivors find it extremely challenging to secure housing in both the short and long terms. This leaves them with the difficult choice of either remaining with their abuser or confronting the harsh reality of homelessness

In a research study conducted by CCFWE, the overwhelming majority of women expressed deep concerns about their housing situations, especially due to the escalated abuse by the perpetrator.

How we influence policy and systems

We are collaborating with members of the National Task Force for Women’s Economic Justice, as well as non-profit organizations, shelters, and policymakers. Together, we are advocating for the safe housing options for survivors who have endured both domestic and Economic Abuse.

Why Housing Equity for Survivors?

Home: Where Healing Begins

Trapped Between Violence and Homelessness. Housing instability and a lack of safe and affordable housing options heighten the risks for women experiencing domestic violence.
Women are more likely to experience what is called ”hidden homelessness”. This could mean staying in an abusive relationship to avoid living on the street, short-term stays with friends or relatives, trading sex for a place to live, or sharing a living space with others well beyond its capacity. Women facing hidden homelessness will often cycle through whatever options they have – couch-surfing, the shelter system, and time on the street, etc. as a way to avoid overstaying their welcome while struggling to get back on their feet. These examples of hidden homelessness make it difficult to accurately estimate the number of women and families experiencing homelessness.
Discrimination and racial inequalities: Unfortunately, housing discrimination remains a significant challenge for Black and Indigenous communities, with instances where landlords unfairly deny housing opportunities to individuals based on their racial backgrounds. This unjust practice not only perpetuates racial inequalities but also hinders these communities’ access to safe and stable housing. We have seen that some landlords are unwilling to rent to a woman who has experienced domestic violence.

Our Current System Change and Policy Influencing

We are actively participating as advisory member with the Pan-Canadian Voice for Women’s Housing (PCVWH), a national initiative dedicated to advocating for inclusive housing policies in Canada that prioritize the needs of women and children.

The Pan Canadian Voice for Women’s Housing calling on the Government of Canada to make changes:

Update the National Housing Strategy to reflect the voices, perspectives and calls to action from women and gender-diverse people with lived expertise of the housing crisis.
Ensure the needs of First Nations, Métis and Inuit women and gender-diverse people are specifically addressed in new housing and housing strategies.
Prioritize capital and infrastructure funding for housing that supports the needs of women, their children and gender-diverse people.
Work collaboratively with provincial and local governments, and local agencies to provide flexible, sustained, predictable and adequate operating funding for housing agencies serving the needs of women, their children and gender-diverse people.
Deliver a Guaranteed Annual Income that reflects different regions’ needs.
Continue to support and fund the Pan-Canadian Voice for Housing. Please pledge your support here & share our calls to action with your elected representatives!