Since the pandemic there has been a steady increase in the numbers of homeless and domestic violence rates in the United States.
Women and children now account for an alarming number of the homeless population due to the escalating amount who are fleeing an abusive relationship. In fact, in most technologically advanced countries, family violence has been attributed as the most frequently reported reason for homelessness.
Homelessness is defined as including rough sleeping, couch surfing, and living in shelters, women’s refuges, cars, caravans, and tents. (Amore et al.2013)
Some states report up to 57% of homeless women attribute domestic violence as the immediate cause of their homelessness.
In an attempt to maintain power and control over their partner, an abuser will purposely position their victim at risk for being homeless should they leave the relationship. Abusers commonly isolate their victim from family and friends and undermine their victim’s economic independence and stability.
With few people to help her when she leaves the relationship, poor credit, and little or no access to money, a woman will often stay in or return to a violent relationship for lack of anyplace to go.
This was my experience.
I couldn’t get away from my abuser without becoming homeless.
When I escaped my abusive marriage, even though I had a college education, I was working a parttime, low wage job and had a credit score in just barely the 400’s. Like many women who are trying to leave an abuser, I lacked alternative housing options and the economic ability to maintain safe housing.
The biggest need for domestic violence survivors is overwhelmingly the need for housing. Simultaneously, this also seems to be the need that is most often unmet.
Over 80% of survivors entering shelters identified “finding housing I can afford ” as a need, second only to “safety for myself ” at 85%.
Unfortunately, the numbers are bleak. The NLIHC states that there are only 30 rental units that are affordable and readily available for every 100 extremely low income (ELI) renter households.
According to NNEDV, the average stay in an emergency homeless shelter is only 60 days. However, it often takes 6-10 months to secure safe family housing.
What can be done?
The NNEDV recommends the following needs and policy recommendations.
- Increased funding for affordable, safe housing and shelters is needed.
- Pathways to economic stability for abused and homeless women like:
- Job Protections
- Benefits
- Fair Pay
- Child Care
- Tax Credits
- Stronger protection against discrimination in housing and policies that promote transfers to safe housing.
For more information on how you can help support a shelter in your local area or if you are in need of shelter services, visit the State Domestic Violence Coalitions and Hotline Numbers page on my website. There, you can access state Coalition offices who can help you locate a shelter in your community.
US Dept of Health and Human Services 2016 Report
Domestic Violence, Housing and Homelessness
Domestic Violence and Homelessness, ACLU
National Alliance to End Homelessness
International Journal of Sustainable Development & World Ecology
