Gender-based violence in British Columbia has been declared an epidemic, but support for women fleeing abuse does not seem to be meeting the need. One mother, who remains unnamed for safety reasons, fled an abusive relationship with her child and found temporary refuge in B.C.’s transitional housing system. While initially a lifeline, the system quickly became uncertain as she struggled to find long-term housing. The waitlists for transitional shelters are growing, and many women are staying in temporary housing for years, despite it being designed for shorter stays.
When the BC NDP formed government in 2018, they promised to build 1,500 units of transitional housing. Housing Minister Ravi Kahlon states that approximately 1,200 units are either completed or under construction, with a plan to double that goal to 3,000 units province-wide. Additionally, the government has launched the Canada-BC Housing Benefit, providing up to $600 a month for women and families fleeing violence to help them access more stable housing. However, there remains a gap between policy promises and the reality on the ground, as survivors and organizers continue to face challenges in finding long-term housing solutions.
One survivor, who spent six months in first-stage housing and over two years in second-stage housing, faced numerous barriers in finding suitable housing. Landlord discrimination against single mothers was a significant obstacle, as some landlords preferred families with two parents. Despite efforts to find affordable and safe housing, the survivor was repeatedly turned away due to her status as a single mother. Advocates stress the importance of investing not only in housing programs but also in support workers who can assist women in finding and maintaining stable housing.
The flexibility in transitional housing meant to accommodate survivors has created a bottleneck, leading to more people being denied services and experiencing backlogs. According to Nina Melwani of the YWCA, there has been an increase in people using the maximum amount of time allowed for transitional housing, with most individuals staying for a year to 18 months. This challenges the goal of providing a temporary refuge for survivors, as they struggle to find long-term housing solutions. The survivor interviewed by Global News expressed concern for other women who have been forced to return to their abusers due to lack of stable housing options.
Despite the challenges and barriers faced by survivors in accessing long-term housing, there are efforts to address these issues at the policy level. The government’s commitment to increasing the number of transitional housing units and providing financial support through the Canada-BC Housing Benefit is a step in the right direction. However, more needs to be done to bridge the gap between policy promises and the reality on the ground. Survivors emphasize the need for increased funding for housing programs and support workers who can assist women in finding and maintaining stable housing solutions.
For survivors of domestic violence in British Columbia, finding safe and stable housing remains a critical need. The experiences of women fleeing abuse highlight the challenges they face in accessing long-term housing solutions. Despite the efforts of the government to address these issues through policy initiatives and funding, there is still a disconnect between the promises made and the reality experienced by survivors. Advocates stress the importance of investing in both housing programs and support workers to ensure that women fleeing abuse have access to the resources and assistance they need to rebuild their lives in safety.
