Victims of conjugal violence staying longer in Quebec transition houses

Community Action, Nov 22, 2004

MONTREAL -- Le Regroupement provincial des maisons d'hebergement et de transition pour femmes victimes de violence conjugale provincial complains that in certain areas of Quebec, Montreal, Quebec City, Outaouais, women victims of marital violence were remaining longer in transition houses because they could not find suitable or affordable housing.

Before 2003 the average woman would have lived in a transition house for six weeks. Currently, they remain for ten to twelve weeks. The organization's survey indicates that many of the women who are lodged there are often victims of discrimination when they seek housing, because they have children and low incomes.

Immigrant and minority women have an even more complicated bases. Because of the shortage of housing problem, and significant rise of the cost of the rents which accompanies it, they are often forced to accept too small residences for the needs of their family.

The organization calls on the provincial government to provide more social housing and more effective rent controls.

The Regroupment consists of fifty shelter and transition houses for women victims of marital violence. The shelters meet the needs of more than 10,000 women and children per annum.

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