The Challenge

Homelessness is a complex issue, especially for women+ and families. Undercounted in data and research means that understanding the scale of women’s homelessness can be difficult. Here are some of the reasons we are seeing a rise in women+ and families experiencing homelessness and accessing shelter services and some of the challenges we face as providers.

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Recommendations

A new federal, provincial & territorial affordable housing framework agreement
Investments to target chronically & episodically homeless people
Direct investments in affordable housing programs
A housing benefit to assist those who face severe affordability problems in their current accommodation
A new affordable housing tax credit
Investments in Aboriginal housing both on & off reserve

Solutions

The shelter system is NOT the solution, but we support the processes and work that is needed. Interested in learning more? What needs to be done to end homelessness? | The Homeless Hub

An adequate supply of safe, affordable and appropriate housing is a pre-requisite to truly ending homelessness in the long term. That includes ensuring that people who are chronically and episodically homeless are prioritized and that systems are in place to enable such persons to receive housing and support through Housing First programs. In a tight housing market, implementing a housing-first agenda becomes that much more challenging. It is also important to address the supply of affordable housing in order to broaden access for other priority populations, including women fleeing violence, Indigenous peoples, families, seniors and youth, for instance.

How WE Support These Solutions?

The Centre operates from a Housing-First Philosophy. Evidence-based and data-driven, we support women and families with professional services, peer support, and a focus on harm reduction and trauma-informed knowledge.

  • WE are low-barrier. Our work and philosophy moves away from antiquated ideas of shelter as charity and towards the view of housing as a human right- including access to safe shelter for all.
  • WE are part of provincial and national initiatives, such as partnering with the Canadian Women’s Foundation, membership with the Canadian Alliance to End Homelessness, working alongside the Ontario Association of Interval and Transitional Housing and Violence against Women sector.
  • WE work towards ongoing intersectionality and recognize the impacts and interactions our clients have with other, often traumatizing, systems—child welfare, mental health, health, and policing. Our work is peer-supported whenever possible, and we constantly strive for more.
  • WE pursue funding from national to local levels.
  • WE engage in community research partnerships to ensure that the voices of the women we support are amplified.

The Welcome Centre Shelter

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A donation to the Welcome Centre Shelter ensures that women, families and children across Windsor-Essex County can get the support they need to transition into stable housing.

YOUR advocacy and support play a huge role in the success and accessibility of our programs and services in our community.

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