Family Violence Initiative

COMPENDIUM OF PROMISING PRACTICES TO REDUCE VIOLENCE AND INCREASE SAFETY OF ABORIGINAL WOMEN IN CANADA

INTERACTIONS WITHIN COMMUNITIES

Family Violence Interventions

Program Name:

Transitional Housing Support Program

Organization/Community:

Minwaashin Lodge

Location:

Ottawa, Ontario

Website:

www.minlodge.com

Goals and Objectives:

To help women in violent situations find and maintain safe and affordable transitional housing.

Target Group Description:

Women.

Program Description:

The program offers help to women seeking escape from their current living conditions by helping them to find affordable housing. The program also offers help to clients in the development of safety plans, providing court support, accessing basic financial assistance, accompanying clients to appointments and connecting clients and their children to other accessible community support services when appropriate.

Program Successes/Impact:

87% of women who go through the program are housed within 3 months.

Key Lessons/Challenges:

Overcoming prejudicial ideas that potential landlords may have against the women seeking shelter. It can be difficult finding housing that will be affordable for clients of the program.

Program in operation since:

2002.

Program:

Ongoing.