(Quebec) Associations of shelters for women and children victims of domestic violence make a deep appeal. In a context in which projects to create additional housing are put on hold due to difficulties in financing, they call on Prime Minister François Legault to bring to the table all the government actors who finance their creation in order to determine once and for all a program specific to them.
Published at 2:02 am. Updated at 5:00 am.
What there is to know
- Associations of homes for women and children victims of domestic violence ask François Legault for intervention to resolve a financial impasse and create a new program for them.
- The current program to finance the creation of new housing does not take into account several important needs, they complain.
- In this context, projects will now be stopped, the creation of hundreds of places is at risk and the funding put on the table by Ottawa could be withdrawn, they fear.
In an interview with La Presse, the Alliance of Shelters for Women and Children Victims of Domestic Violence (Alliance MH2), the Grouping of Shelters for Women and Children Victims of Domestic Violence and the Federation of Women's Shelters reiterate that The funding for the addition of new spaces, which is part of the social housing program in collaboration with the Société d'habitation du Québec, is “insufficient, illogical and incomprehensible.”
Last December, these associations had already denounced that the financing program partially excluded the calculation of the costs of developing necessary spaces in the houses, such as closed intervention rooms, shared kitchens and numerous security measures, among others. They then warned that more than 200 sites set aside for women and children at high risk of being killed in connection with domestic violence may not see the light of day.
Three months later, they believe the program, which is not adapted to their needs, is now putting at risk 68 new places in first-tier shelters (which meet emergency needs) and 568 new places in second-tier shelters (which still accept women). living with significant safety problems when leaving emergency accommodation), for a total of 630 new blocked places.
They fear that the funding put on the table by Ottawa could also be at risk.
“The current program, which has not been adjusted, has just forced the stop of two projects in Abitibi-Témiscamingue, two projects in Montreal, one project in Quebec and one project in Thetford Mines. Several other projects are at risk, particularly in the Laurentians. Federal grants totaling millions of dollars will be lost if not used,” the three organizations say.
Get out of a vicious circle
According to Louise Riendeau, co-responsible for political issues at the Regroupement des maison pour femmes Victims de Violence Domestic, the current situation resembles a “vicious circle”.
“These projects are expected by the health network, which relies on these places to meet the needs of women and children who are victims of domestic violence.” […] But we are caught in a vicious circle [sur le plan du financement] This means that we are unable to meet the needs of women,” she denounces.
Maud Pontel, general coordinator of the MH2 Alliance, is also concerned about the financial arrangements of the projects, which have been halted while the needs are great and shelters for women and children victims of domestic violence are exceeding capacity in some regions 100% reaches 100%.
Waiting so long means that we have private donors who wanted to support the projects who withdraw because they feel that the projects are not successful.
Maud Pontel, general coordinator of the MH2 Alliance
“The current situation weakens the existence of the relief and accommodation centers that carry out these projects. The governments guaranteed them funding. However, many pay the interest on mortgage loans that allow them to start the various works, the architects' fees and the costs of renovating the property. “If projects are stopped, they pay nothing,” the three associations unanimously added.
The memory of a promise
Representatives of associations of shelters for women and children victims of domestic violence also recall that the government voted in favor of a motion tabled by Liberal MP Brigitte Garceau at the Salon Bleu last December, calling on the government to: “to solve administrative difficulties together with organizations”. be on site and do everything we can to create these places quickly.”
You remember that these new places are also recognized as necessary by the government, which in 2021 allocated 220 million in funds to the fight against domestic violence.
“A few days before International Women's Day and the presentation of the Quebec budget, we hope that our appeal will be heard by Prime Minister Legault,” it said.
In collaboration with Lila Dussault, La Presse
Some resources for victims of domestic violence and their families
SOS Domestic Violence Helpline: 1 800 363-9010 (toll-free number) or 438 601-1211 (via text message)
Association of Women's Shelters (Montreal): 514 878-9757
Home group for women who have been victims of domestic violence: 514 878-9134
Look for a relief and shelter center
Some resources for violent people and their families
Support group for impulsive people with violent behavior (Quebec): 418 529-3446
Action Against Violence and Family Intervention (Montreal): 450 692-7313