Families victims of domestic violence | “Inadequate” funding from Quebec forces the halt of accommodation projects

(Quebec) Associations of shelters for women and children victims of domestic violence are launching a heartfelt cry. In the context where projects to add accommodation places are put on hold due to pitfalls linked to their financing, they ask Prime Minister François Legault to bring together at the same table all the government stakeholders who finance their creation to establish, once and for all, a program intended for them.

In interview with The Pressthe Alliance of shelters for women and children victims of domestic violence (Alliance MH2), the Regroupment of shelters for women victims of domestic violence and the Federation of shelters for women affirm that funding for the addition new places, which is part of the social housing program in partnership with the Société d’habitation du Québec, is “inadequate, illogical and incomprehensible”.

Last December, these associations had already denounced the fact that the financing program partly excluded the calculation of costs associated with the development of necessary spaces in homes, such as closed intervention rooms, common kitchens and numerous security measures, among others. They then warned that more than 200 places intended for women and children at high risk of being killed in a context of domestic violence might not see the light of day.

Three months later, they believe that the program, which is not adapted to their needs, now puts at risk 68 new places in first-stage shelters (which meet emergency needs) and 568 new places in those of second stage (which welcome women still living with major security problems upon leaving an emergency shelter), for a total of 630 new blocked places.

The funding put on the table by Ottawa could also be compromised, they worry.

“The current program, not adapted, has just forced the halt of two projects in Abitibi-Témiscamingue, two projects in Montreal, a project in Quebec and a project in Thetford Mines. Several other projects are threatened in the Laurentians, in particular. Federal grants totaling several million dollars will be lost if they are not used,” say the three organizations.

Getting 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 awaited by the health network, which relies on these places to help meet the needs of women and children victims of domestic violence, […] but we are caught in a vicious circle [sur le plan du financement] which means that we are not able 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 that have been stopped, while the needs are dire and the occupancy rate of shelters for women and child victims of domestic violence reaches in some regions more than 100%.

“The current situation weakens the existence of the help and accommodation centers which carry out these projects. They were guaranteed funding by governments. However, many pay the interest on mortgage loans allowing them to begin the various works, the architects’ fees, the costs of decontaminating the land. With projects stopped, they pay for nothing,” add the three associations with one voice.

The reminder 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 at the Salon Bleu last December by Liberal MP Brigitte Garceau, who asked the government to “ resolve administrative difficulties in partnership with organizations on the ground and do everything possible to quickly create these places.”

These new places, they recall, are also recognized as necessary by the government, which released funding of 220 million in 2021 to fight against domestic violence.

“A few days before International Women’s Day and the tabling of the Quebec budget, we hope that our appeal will be heard by Prime Minister Legault,” they say.

With the collaboration of Lila Dussault, The Press