Women with Disabilities Face Higher Risk of Homelessness Due to Violence, Report Finds

A recent report on housing inequities in Canada has revealed that women with disabilities are more likely to be forced into homelessness because of violence or abuse. According to the joint statement from The Canadian Human Rights Commission and the federal housing advocate, 63% of women with disabilities who experienced homelessness cited violence as the primary reason, compared to 54% of women without disabilities.

Vicky Levack, a spokesperson for the Disability Rights Coalition of Nova Scotia, expressed that women with disabilities are at a higher risk of abuse or violence, often at the hands of their caregivers or romantic partners. Levack, who has cerebral palsy, highlighted the lack of accessible shelters and emergency housing options for women with disabilities, making them vulnerable and limited in their ability to flee abusive situations.

The data, primarily sourced from Statistics Canada, also revealed that people with disabilities are more likely to face financial issues leading to missed rent or mortgage payments and eventual homelessness. Additionally, they are more likely to live in accommodations with health-threatening problems such as mould or pest infestations.

Indigenous people with disabilities were found to have even greater challenges compared to non-Indigenous individuals with disabilities. Nearly 40% of people with disabilities reported not receiving proper assistance to live independently, and 16% expressed feeling unsafe in their own homes.

The report emphasized that individuals with disabilities in Canada are being denied their basic human rights, with an overrepresentation in inadequate housing and homelessness. Carleen McGuinty, a manager with the Canadian Human Rights Commission, highlighted the frustration of seeing more than a quarter of the Canadian population experiencing such difficult housing situations without their rights being met.

For Levack, the statistics hit close to home as she spent a significant portion of her 20s in a nursing home due to lack of accessible housing options. After a legal battle against the Nova Scotia government, she was able to move into her own apartment in 2022, overcoming past trauma and abuse.

Despite the alarming data, people with disabilities are often excluded from important discussions and planning regarding housing, leaving them at greater risk and with unmet needs. The report will be submitted to the United Nations in March for review of Canada’s record on upholding the human rights of people with disabilities, urging for immediate action to address the dire situation.

As we strive for inclusive and equitable housing solutions, it is crucial to prioritize the needs and rights of individuals with disabilities to ensure a more just and supportive society for all.