More affordable housing needed for women and abuse victims: advocates

Advocates in Vancouver say they've seen an increase in mothers and women staying in abusive relationships in fear of being homeless. Angela Bower reports.

By Angela Bower and Astrid Agbayani

Posted March 19, 2023 9:46 pm.

Last Updated March 19, 2023 9:58 pm.

Advocates in Vancouver are calling for more supportive housing for women and victims of abuse.

Atira Women’s Resource Society, an organization committed to ending violence against women, says it has seen an increase in women and mothers staying in abusive relationships in fear of becoming homeless.

“Obviously, as the housing crisis has grown, fewer women are able to find affordable housing that’s safe and that has enough bedrooms for them and their kids,” Atira’s CEO, Janice Abbot said.

“It’s a choice of no choice. I hate to use the word ‘choosing,’ because it’s not like they’re choosing to stay in an abusive relationship. They don’t have another choice.”

During homeless counts, Abbot says women are undercounted.

“So we know they’re undercounted because we know they’re staying in abusive relationships to remain housed. We know that they are trading sex or trading drugs or trading something in order to be inside at night because it’s profoundly unsafe to be on the street.”

In BC Housing’s latest homeless count, 14 per cent of respondents said that a conflict with a spouse or partner was the main reason for losing housing.

The executive director of the Battered Women’s Service Society, Angela MacDougall says women and children are amongst the most vulnerable in society. The lack of affordable housing for women has been something they’ve been trying to get across for decades. MacDougall says the situation is tough, as investments in affordable housing are not enough.

“As long as we continue to see real estate development being as lucrative as it is, it’s difficult for government or anyone else to want to consider building housing because social housing doesn’t necessarily raise funds or make anybody rich. And that is the problem ultimately, is that we haven’t been able to reckon with the economic system, real estate development and real estate as a whole.”

MacDougall says they’ve also been getting an increase in calls for women needing to flee domestic violence.

“Many women that access our services often are living in their cars with children, who are couch surfing who are staying with friends, who are struggling in lots of ways. Or are staying in an abusive relationship because there’s no housing. Without housing, there’s no escape,” MacDougall said.

“In seven months within 2022, over 3000 calls from survivors, from victims who were calling about their abusive relationship and about precarious housing.”

MacDougall says their annual census survey shows more women need a place to escape abuse.

“In 2022 there were 571 women and children that were turned away from transition houses during a 24-hour period.”

In response to the story, the Ministry of Housing mentions they have plans to build more housing for women and children.

“Of the 715 units that are under construction or in development, 181 are scheduled to open by the end of June, and in total 324 additional homes are expected to open by the end of 2023 in cities and towns throughout B.C.,” the Ministry of Housing said.

In total, 324 additional homes are expected to open by the end of 2023.

Advocates say there is a need for more affordable housing options for women with children that are close to schools, stores, and transit.

“Because if you don’t have housing when you have children, you’re almost certainly going to have your children apprehended. The system expects your children to have a roof over their heads,” Abbot said.