Defenseless When They Need It Most
By Margot Story
Imagine you’re a domestic abuse survivor. You gathered the courage to leave your abusive relationship. You went to a domestic violence shelter to receive short-term help. After weeks at the shelter, you’re looking for long-term housing. Except your credit score is destroyed. Your abuser left you in financial ruin; you’re being blocked from getting affordable housing. And the options that you do have don’t address your unique safety concerns and confidentiality needs. With no options, you contemplate returning to your abuser.
This story is disturbingly common for many domestic abuse survivors. Domestic violence is the leading cause of homelessness in women and children; over 90% of homeless women have experienced physical/sexual abuse at some point in their lives and 63% are victims of domestic violence or sexual abuse. Most survivors suffer from financial abuse too; many are left with no funds and a ruined credit score (credit scores show how good you are at paying back loans). Affordable housing is one of the main barriers to leaving an abusive relationship, as many victims have no place to go (especially because abusers destroy relationships). Abusers have control over finances, so victims may return to their abusive partner because they would have “safe” housing and financial support.
Victims of domestic violence and abuse face barriers to getting affordable housing that must be addressed. In a study conducted by the National Network to End Domestic Violence, 84% of survivors in domestic violence shelters reported that they needed help finding affordable housing. The majority of unmet requests for domestic violence services are for housing/shelter, and over half of victims who requested help with housing services didn’t receive them. Victims have safety, confidentiality, and trauma-related needs that must be addressed in survivor-centered housing. Housing programs that focus specifically on victims can help build empowerment, strength, and a sense of community; all of which are vital.
Housing programs and centers must give special attention to victims of domestic violence and make sure that requests are met. Victims need financial assistance and policies must make it easier for survivors, (especially those who are low income) to get housing. We need federal legislation that supports survivors and their needs now; state territory and housing laws and policies help survivors secure and maintain affordable housing. There are things you can do too! Call or email your government officials must address this issue and make policies. Donate to housing programs/shelters in your community. Educate people about this issue and encourage them to take action. Domestic abuse survivors have already been through so much; supporting getting them to get housing is the least we can do.
Sources Cited:
https://nnedv.org/spotlight_on/impact-safe-housing-survivors/
https://housingmatters.urban.org/articles/safe-housing-domestic-violence-survivors-more-shelter