Community Housing Program

Domestic violence is a leading cause of homelessness among women. Research indicates that 66 per cent of women who are homeless or without stable and secure housing are fleeing an abusive relationship. The dual exposure of domestic violence and homelessness has a significant impact on women and children.

While domestic violence has no boundaries, the women and children served by the Community Housing program are particularly vulnerable and disenfranchised: 95 per cent live on less than $2,000 a month; 56 per cent have some high school or less; 83 per cent are unemployed; 75 per cent have a mental health concern, 54 per cent have a substance abuse issue, and 49 per cent have a physical health concern. Additionally, the women in the program are in crisis and raising children with a high rate of serious behavioural and health challenges, including autism, cerebral palsy, Fetal Alcohol Syndrome, and Downs Syndrome.

In the Community Housing program we use the Housing First model to place families who are dually impacted by homelessness and domestic violence in permanent stable housing first and then provide mental health assessments, financial, emotional and practical supports, case management, home-based counselling, referrals, and support services. Case managers work with families to develop safety plans, connect with longer-term support services, and navigate a complex social service and health system.

Discovery House’s Community Housing program, which began as a pilot project in early 2009, has surpassed all targets and expectations since its inception. While there are other programs using Housing First principles, the Community Housing program at Discovery House is the only one applying those principles to women and children fleeing domestic violence.