Surviving the System The Perpetual Risk of Homelessness for Domestic Violence Survivors

Abstract

Women with families are the most quickly increasing segment of the homeless population. Varying from state to state, between 22% and 85% of these homeless families report that they became homeless as a result of the choice to fl ee an abusive relationship. Domestic violence survivors are at risk of homelessness before entrance into the emergency shelter system, before gaining acceptance into the transitional shelter system, and once they have secured low-income housing. This problem has resulted in many domestic violence survivors choosing to remain with their children in violent homes as opposed to becoming homeless. Obstacles to help-seeking and limitations of emergency housing options are current issues resulting in homelessness among domestic violence survivors. Programmatic and policy recommendations are made to assist domestic violence survivors in obtaining and maintaining both long and short term housing.