New Funding Means Better Services for Women And Children Fleeing Violence

TORONTO – The McGuinty government is strengthening Ontario’s affordable housing strategy for victims of domestic violence by investing in supports to help women and their children re-build their lives in their new homes, Community and Social Services Minister Sandra Pupatello said today.

The province is adding another $1 million to its Transitional and Housing Support Program in 2006 to provide additional counselling and support services to women who are in affordable housing.  The investment responds to a call to give victims of violence the extra help they need to stabilize and regain control of their lives once they have escaped abuse.

“Providing housing to victims of domestic violence is a critical first step. Providing additional supports to help women re-establish new lives is integral to their success,” said Pupatello.  “These support services will give women the best chance possible to make new lives for themselves, free of violence.”

“Ontario’s affordable housing strategy includes 500 housing units dedicated specifically to victims of domestic violence,” said Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing John Gerretsen.  “This is in addition to the province’s special priority policy for social housing, which requires a vacant unit to be first made available to a woman and her family fleeing domestic violence.”   

The additional investment in the Transitional and Housing Support Program will provide safety planning and help women connect with counselling, parenting, life skills and victims’ services so that they can successfully maintain their housing and turn their lives around.

This latest investment brings total funding for the Transitional and Housing Support Program to more than $10 million annually.  It also builds on the McGuinty government’s Domestic Violence Action Plan commitment to strengthen community services as part of a comprehensive, balanced approach to preventing and addressing domestic violence.

“We are reaching out to help more women find and maintain the housing they need to build stable lives for themselves and their children,” said Pupatello.  “By helping women and children live free of violence, we are building stronger, safer communities for us all.”