LINK BETWEEN DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND HOMELESSNESS

For many experiencing homelessness specifically women and youth a large proportion is due to domestic violence. 

 Studies have shown that around 80 percent of women experiencing homelessness have experienced some type of domestic violence, and it was recorded in 2019 through different homeless services that in a single night 48,000 beds were kept specifically for domestic violence survivors. 

Domestic violence comes in many different forms but generally speaking it can include physical, emotional and financial abuse. It also disproportionately affects people of color, immigrants, people with disabilities, people who are queer, and people who are live in more isolated locations.  

When looking at domestic violence we also need to take into account the children who are witnessing these accounts from research conducted by HUB (U.S department of housing and urban development) it was shown that around 230,000 children in homeless shelters have been exposed to traumatic and long term affects of domestic violence.

When leaving a domestic violence situation many either need safe temporary or short term housing, help through a rental assistance program, and help to process their trauma.  
It was shown that housing subsidies after exiting homelessness made it substantially less likely for one to experience more interpersonal violence or to experience more homelessness. 
 
Making people more aware of the reasons people become homeless and getting resources set in place for those experiencing or leaving domestic violence is an integral part of helping people heal and having resources set to help people get and keep a safe housing situation is imperative.

For more information explore these links:

National Alliance to End Homelessness

Genesis Shelter

Domestic Violence Hotline 

Post by: Marcy Huteson