BC Society of Transition Houses

Purpose

This 42-month project will find sustainable solutions to systemic and institutional housing barriers for women who are victims of domestic violence in British Columbia to improve their economic security. The barriers are diverse, ranging from bias and stigma associated with being on income assistance, to barriers such as the need for positive landlord references and the lack of affordable units. The organization will partner with agencies to implement solutions within four communities across BC and address identified barriers through new policies, protocols, and approaches that will be widely shared with key stakeholders. The supplemental funding will be used for completion of four community pilot sites action plans that will incorporate the intersection of housing barriers and COVID-19, establishing online communications for community partners and stakeholders, hire two research assistants, and support the recipient adapt to the changing needs of affordable long-term housing during the pandemic.