The long wait list for social housing puts women at risk because emergency shelters for victims of domestic violence remain filled, says Arlene McCalla executive co-director of Interval House. Carlos Osorio / Toronto Star ) Order this photoNew government funding devoted to a housing benefit may help hundreds of survivors of domestic violence find safe, permanent homes more quickly, and free up space in shelters for women trying to escape an abusive partner, experts say. The initiative is aimed at helping up to 1,000 domestic violence survivors a year move directly into market-rent apartments instead of spending months in shelters waiting for social housing. “Our premier and this government (have) been taking a strong stance against sexual violence and harassment,” Ballard said in an interview. “Moving it from $2.4 million to $20 million was something (we felt) needed to be done.

Source: thestar September 17, 2016 20:26 UTC