Toronto woman's troubles turned around by unique housing program (Toronto Star)

[inanna]

A woman once trapped in an abusive relationship talks about the unique housing program that helped turn her life around.

...

A few years ago, after arriving in Canada as a refugee, she found herself isolated by an abusive relationship. Martha (not her actual name) was surrounded by the various forces that trap many victims of abuse — high rents, poor job prospects, a lack of support. It all seemed insurmountable to her.

But thanks to an initiative by Interval House called Her Home Housing Project, and the generosity of private sector landlords, Martha escaped that life. The not-for-profit organization began partnering with large property owners in 2004, matching women escaping abusive relationships with apartments offered at rents geared to income.

In 2011 Martha moved into a bachelor apartment next to High Park that rented for $1,050 a month. She only had to pay $300, an amount she could afford with her new administrative job that Interval House helped her find. She was making $1,750 a month, after taxes, and had enough left over to send home to her kids in Botswana.

“One of the biggest barriers to women leaving an abusive situation is poverty,” says Ashleigh Saith, Interval House’s director of development and partnerships. “Many think they can’t pay their own rent or all the other bills.”

Link: http://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2014/12/21/toronto_womans_troubles_turned_around_by_unique_housing_program.html

[Liberal_in_LA]

1. k&r