Housing and violence are key determinants of women’s health. Violence is a major cause of women’s housing instability and homelessness. Recent research has identified the need to further explore the connections among intimate partner violence, housing, and health. It has been suggested that housing may represent a point of intervention to mitigate the negative health consequences of violence. This article explores the interrelationships among women’s health, experiences of violence, and access to housing. We draw on findings from a feminist participatory action and Photovoice research project that identified barriers to housing for women leaving violent relationships. We found that the health effects of violence were themselves a barrier to accessing housing and that the unsafe and unacceptable housing options from which participants were forced to choose had a further negative impact on their health. We suggest policy responses that address the unsafe and unacceptable housing for women leaving violent relationships.
