Pathways Into and Out of Homelessness: Domestic Violence and Housing Security for Immigrant Women

Housing insecurity is a major barrier to leaving domestic violence; it may force abused women to live in inadequate conditions or to return to their abusers. Immigrant women face additional barriers. Longitudinal interviews with 37 abused immigrant women living in three Canadian cities investigated key causes of housing insecurity. Results show a need to target systemic factors, a diversity of issues foregrounded along pathways into and out of homelessness, and complex indicators of risk. Advocacy is key to exiting abuse and obtaining secure housing, and cultural competency in services is needed to adequately support immigrant women experiencing domestic violence.

Publication Date: 
2013
Pages: 
278-298
Volume: 
11
Issue: 
3
Journal Name: 
Journal of Immigrant & Refugee Studies