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Project Profile - The Role of Housing in Promoting and Maintaining the Health of Victims of Domestic Violence

Centre for Research on Inner City Health - Keenan Research Centre

2009-2011
Domestic violence (DV) is a serious health and social issue, particularly among women.  The pervasiveness of DV, its relationship to housing instability, and the shortage of safe and affordable social housing calls for a more comprehensive understanding of these complex issues in order to inform the development and implementation of policy and programs addressing social housing and DV.This study will explore the role of housing in the health and social well being of victims of DV and their families.

Principal Investigator:

• Patricia O’Campo

Funder:

Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR)

Background:

With a lifetime prevalence of 21% to 55% in North America, the health implications associated with DV (e.g. adverse mental and physical health outcomes) have led experts to recognize it as an international public health concern. DV is associated with increased utilization of mental health, substance abuse, and other healthcare services.

Housing is an important determinant of health especially in the context of DV. DV and its numerous health and social consequences can interfere with the ability of women to obtain housing or remain housed. Studies in Canada and the U.S. demonstrate a clear association between DV and housing instability. For example, many chronically abused women seek refuge by using crisis shelters and/or longer-term supportive housing. However, there are few studies of abused women’s experiences with government housing programs and their effect on health and wellness in the context of DV.

Goals:

To describe the patterns of housing stability and housing instability among women who have been victims of violence during their adult lifetimes with a focus on (a) patterns that emerge around experiences of partner violence, (b) the role of domestic violence as a barrier to achieving housing stability, (c) the role of adverse health conditions as a barrier to achieving housing stability and (d) resources and supports that would improve housing instability.

Methods:

A qualitative research design will be employed to elicit the meanings, perceptions, and experiences about the health and social well-being of domestically abused adult women when residing in supportive housing programs (transitional or social) compared to abused women living in independent dwellings. In-depth, semi-structured face-to-face interviews will be used as our method of data collection. Up to two interviews will be conducted with a maximum of 60 eligible women with a history of abuse across these three types of housing settings, in order to understand the interplay between the housing context and women’s health and social well being.

Research Partners:

• Service Manager Housing Network (SMHN)
• Advisory Committee:
  • Ishbel Solvason, Housing Registry Ottawa
  • Margie Carlson, City of Toronto
  • Nancy Skinner, Peel Region Housing
  • Diane Miles, Cooperative Housing Federation
  • Shelly Yeo, Women's Community House (second Stage Housing)
  • Joan White,  YWCA Toronto (shelter and second stage housing)
  • Patty Park, Three Oaks Foundation (rural shelter and second stage housing)

Project Contact:

Mairi Omand, OmandM@smh.ca