Crisis & Intake:
1-855-687-1868

Breaking Barriers: Addressing the Housing Crisis for Women Fleeing Violence in BC

Jan 10, 2025 | Battered Women's Support Services

Since 1979, Battered Women’s Support Services (BWSS) has worked to end violence against women and gender-based violence. We work directly with victims and survivors experiencing intimate partner domestic and sexualized violence, offering support, advocacy, and healing spaces. Today, the escalating housing crisis adds urgency to their work. For women fleeing violence, finding safe, affordable housing is often an impossible task, forcing many to return to unsafe situations or live in precarious conditions, such as their cars.

BWSS is calling for bold action: the expansion of rent subsidies tailored to the needs of women and children fleeing violence. This measure can create a pathway from crisis to stability, providing a tangible opportunity for survivors to rebuild their lives with dignity.

The Housing Crisis and Women Fleeing Violence

Every day, approximately 200 women fleeing violence in British Columbia are turned away from shelters due to lack of space. Women fleeing violence face a heartbreaking choice: return to abusive environments or risk homelessness. For women living on income assistance or earning minimum wage, the staggering costs of private rental housing are entirely out of reach. With the average rent for a two-bedroom unit in Vancouver exceeding $3,500 per month, safe housing remains unattainable for many.

Did you know? 50% of women leaving abusive relationships face poverty or economic instability. It’s time to break this cycle with rent subsidies and employment support solutions. Every woman deserves safety and stability. Systemic inequities in housing disproportionately impact women fleeing violence. Indigenous women, immigrant women, and single mothers face compounding challenges, with poverty rates as high as 73 percent among Indigenous single mothers. For women fleeing violence, the journey from crisis to stability is fraught with barriers, leaving them trapped in a cycle of temporary solutions without clear pathways to independence.

A Call to Expand Rent Subsidies for Women Fleeing Violence

In BC, roughly 200 women fleeing violence are turned away from shelters and transition houses every day. This shocking statistic highlights a deeper issue: our housing system is failing survivors. For women leaving abusive relationships, the transition from crisis to stability is precarious and often impossible. Many are forced to return to abusive situations or endure invisible homelessness, living in their cars as a last resort to escape abuse.

As British Columbia’s new provincial government cabinet begins its work, BWSS is calling for decisive action: an expansion of rent subsidies tailored for women and their children fleeing violence. This proposal aligns with the province’s commitments to affordability and safety while addressing the urgent housing crisis.

The goal is to turn victims of violence into survivors with a real chance at building stable, independent lives. With median rents in Metro Vancouver reaching $3,000, moving forward without targeted support is nearly impossible. A portable rent subsidy program would bridge the gap between what women can afford and the high market rents, enabling them to live safely and independently.

The Current System Falls Short

BC offers some support through programs like the Rental Assistance Program (RAP) and Shelter Aid for Elderly Renters (SAFER). However, these programs have:
E
Lengthy Waitlists: Subsidized housing waitlists can stretch over two years, which is far too long for women in crisis.
E
Eligibility Barriers: Strict criteria exclude many survivors of domestic violence.
E
Limited Second-Stage Housing: Temporary housing for up to 18 months is insufficient to meet the growing demand.
Without immediate intervention, women are left with no options, prolonging their exposure to violence or forcing them into homelessness.

The BWSS Solution: A Portable Rent Subsidy Model

BWSS proposes a rent subsidy model specifically for women-led households fleeing violence. This model would:
1. Bridge the Rent Gap: Subsidize the difference between market rent and what women can afford.
2. Promote Stability: Provide 3–4 years of support while women pursue education and employment.
3. Ensure Choice and Safety: Empower women to choose housing that meets their needs while ensuring anonymity and independence.
4. Free Up Transitional Housing: Enable smoother transitions along the housing continuum, creating space in shelters and second-stage housing for other women in crisis.
Benefits of Expanding Rent Subsidies
The proposed rent subsidy program is more than a short-term solution; it’s a critical step toward systemic change:
E
Safety and Security: Reduces the risk of women returning to abusive environments or facing homelessness.
E
Economic Contributions: Once stabilized, women can pursue employment and education.
E
Efficient Service Delivery: Frees up resources in emergency shelters and second-stage housing for other women in crisis.
E
Empowerment: Women gain autonomy to rebuild their lives with dignity and independence.
Lessons from Other Jurisdictions
Other jurisdictions have successfully implemented similar programs:
E
Section 8 Housing (USA): A federally funded voucher system that allows low-income families to secure private rental housing.
E
Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (USA): This credit provides incentives for developers to create affordable housing, though administrative costs are high.
By adapting these models, BC can create a cost-effective, scalable program that meets the needs of women fleeing violence.

Providing a Pathway to Independence

Expanding rent subsidies offers women a clear pathway from crisis housing to long-term stability. When women have access to stable housing, they can focus on rebuilding their lives—pursuing education, securing employment, and breaking free from the cycle of poverty and violence.

Housing is more than a roof over your head; it’s the foundation for safety, dignity, and freedom. Women fleeing violence deserve more than temporary solutions. They deserve the chance to rebuild their lives on solid ground, with the support and security they need to thrive.

It’s time for BC to take bold, decisive action. Expanding rent subsidies for women fleeing violence is not just a policy change—it’s a commitment to equity, safety, and human dignity. As the province’s new government cabinet steps into its roles, let’s ensure that providing safe, affordable housing for survivors is a top priority.

Here’s how you can help

1. Donate Today: Your contributions directly support women transitioning from crisis to safety.
2. Spread the Word: Share this message with your network to help amplify the call for action.
3. Advocate for Change: Join us in urging policymakers to expand rent subsidies and create housing solutions for women fleeing violence.
Women and children escaping violence deserve more than temporary solutions. They deserve the opportunity to rebuild their lives on solid ground, with the safety and stability they need to thrive.

By acting now, we can create a future where no woman must choose between staying with an abuser or facing homelessness.

Join us in making 2025 the year we take meaningful action. Together, we can ensure that Safety Starts at Home.

As an organization dedicated to ending violence in all its forms, BWSS stands in solidarity with victims and survivors. For resources on safety, accessing support, and taking action against gender-based violence, visit our website.

You are not alone.

If you or someone you love is in need of support, please contact the Battered Women’s Support Services Crisis Line:

Call toll-free: 1-855-687-1868 Metro Vancouver: 604-687-1867 Email: EndingViolence@bwss.org

Submit a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *