Advocates and experts are urging Quebec to boost funding for second-stage shelters to better support women fleeing violence. These transitional homes serve as vital sanctuaries, safeguarding women and children from homelessness and danger.
A recent study conducted by the Quebec Homelessness Prevention Collaborative (QHPC) sheds light on the valuable role of second-stage shelters. These shelters offer extended stays, specialized assistance, and secure, confidential environments for women transitioning from emergency shelters.
Pearl Eliadis, an associate professor at McGill University’s Max Bell School of Public Policy and co-author of the QHPC study, emphasizes the critical importance of second-stage shelters in assisting women after leaving emergency shelters.
These shelters not only provide essential support for women but also contribute to a more efficient system overall. By offering longer-term housing solutions, they help women access permanent housing, establish stability, and reduce the risk of returning to abusive partners.
According to the study, women in second-stage shelters have a higher success rate in securing stable housing compared to those in first-stage shelters. Additionally, they are significantly less likely to re-encounter their abusers.
Eliadis warns of the repercussions of insufficient second-stage resources, which can lead to overcrowding in emergency shelters and hinder women in need from accessing the necessary support.
Melpa Kamateros, the executive director of Shield of Athena Family Services, recounts the organization’s 15-year journey to establish its first second-stage shelter. She underscores the importance of offering transitional housing to ensure the safety and well-being of women and children escaping abusive environments.
Kamateros highlights the limitations of emergency shelters and the challenges faced by social workers in finding suitable follow-up options for women and their families.
Both Eliadis and Kamateros advocate for increased funding, quicker construction of second-stage shelters, extended stay durations, and legal access for non-permanent residents to address the pressing need for comprehensive support systems for women in crisis.
