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Domestic Violence as a Contributing Factor to Homelessness
Background
When a woman leaves an abusive relationship, she often has nowhere to go.
This is particularly true of women with few resources. Lack of affordable housing and long waiting lists for assisted housing mean that many women and their children are forced to choose between abuse at home or the streets. Moreover, shelters are frequently filled to capacity and must turn away battered women and their children. An estimated 32% of requests for shelter by homeless families were denied in 1998 due to lack of resources (U.S. Conference of Mayors, 1998).
As a major policy issue, the National Coalition for the Homeless has stated:
"Shelters provide immediate safety to battered women and their children and help women gain control over their lives. The provision of safe emergency shelter is thus a necessary first step in meeting the needs of women fleeing domestic violence..."
"Long term efforts to address homelessness must include increasing the supply of affordable housing, ensuring adequate wages and income supports, and providing necessary supportive services."
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1990 Ford Foundation study finds 50% of homeless women and children were fleeing abuse in their home.
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Study of 777 homeless parents (majority were mothers) in 10 U.S. cities identified domestic violence as cause for leaving their homes. (Homes for the Homeless, 1998)
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46% of cities surveyed by the U.S. Conference of Mayors identified domestic violence as primary cause of homelessness. (U.S. Conference of Mayors, 1998)
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Women who experience domestic violence may be at increased risk of homelessness or be compelled to live with a former or current abuser in order to prevent homelessness. (National Coalition for the Homeless, 1999)
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Among homeless women, 60% have children under age 18; only 28% live with that parent; the woman's parent or other relatives are likely to care for the minor children. At least 20% have been placed in foster care.(Urban Institute, 1999)
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Among homeless families, 84% are women and have a high probability of being aged 24 or younger; 53% are more likely to have ended their education before completing high school. (Homeless Programs and The People They Serve, Urban Institute, 1999)
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Suburban homeless clients are less likely to be male (55%) and are more likely to be white, non-Hispanic (54%), than central city or rural homeless. (Urban Institute, 1999)
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Fully one-third of suburban homeless clients report being physically or sexually abused before the age of 18. (Urban Institute, 1999)
- Top three things homeless clients say they need immediately (Urban Institute, 1999):
- Help finding a job (42%)
- Affordable housing (38%)
- Assistance with paying rent, mortgage or utilities in relation to securing permanent housing (30%)
If you would like more information about A Safe Place, please call us at 847-731-7165 or email us at info@asafeplaceforhelp.org. |
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A Safe Place provides individual and group counseling to victims of domestic violence in both the residential and nonresidential programs.
The 24-hour HELP LINE, 847-249-4450; TTY 847-249-6557, can provide assistance in accessing services.
Related Domestic Violence Safety Facts
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