A working group led by the Canadian Federation of University Women South Delta is trying to establish a local transition house for women and their children experiencing violence and seeking safety, but the province isn’t providing operating dollars.
The working group, which includes the Canadian Federation of University Women for both North and South Delta, Deltassist Family and Community Services, Delta Police Victim’s Services, a seniors’ planning team, the Corporation of Delta’s social planner and Chimo Community Services, has secured a house from the Corporation of Delta. The group also secured $122,000 in funding for renovations for the North Delta home from the federal government.
However, a request for $500,000 in annual operational funding from B.C. Housing has gone nowhere, which means the project could be lost because the federal funding, contingent on the operational dollars, will soon expire.
Saying they could also soon lose the house, which would have been operated by Chimo, they had secured from Delta, Kathleen Jamieson, vice-president of the CFUW South Delta chapter, said they had been negotiating for months with B.C. Housing before being abruptly told money wasn’t available.
“We’d really like to hear from (Housing Minister) Rich Coleman and have him change his mind. Nobody else can do it,” she said.
Delta is the largest community without a transition house and not having one locally will undoubtedly result in women wanting to get out of difficult situations remaining in them, said Jamieson.
According to B.C. Housing, last year, approximately 18,000 women and children stayed at transition houses and safe homes in B.C.
Transition houses provide emotional support, crisis intervention, safety planning, as well as a safe, temporary 24/7 staffed shelter that has stays typically for 30 days
The facilities also provide referrals to and assistance in accessing support services and housing, financial, medical and legal assistance.
As to why there’s no money available from the province, Coleman in an audio statement to the media explained B.C. Housing’s operating dollars are already committed and that they’re in the middle of the fiscal year. However, they’d be happy to discuss the proposal next fiscal year. In a subsequent written statement, the ministry stated they’d be pleased to discuss a partnership.
Jamieson, noting no funding has come for new transition housing for several years, said she wonders why they had been negotiating for so long only to be suddenly told no
“We’re just trying to do something good for the community and something that’s badly needed. We just want to keep the door open to the ministry as much as we can and if we don’t get it we’ll lose everything we’ve worked for,” she said.
Delta South MLA Vicki Huntington said there’s a real need for the project and the province needs to bring funds before the end of the month when federal funding expires. Delta has no facility of this kind and government’s position that women and children fleeing violence can wait until the next fiscal cycle is simply unacceptable, she said.
“This project has nearly everything it needs to be a success. It has a dedicated facility in Delta, commitments from federal and municipal governments, and an impressive group of volunteers and organizations ready to operate a home for women and children at risk. Support from the province is the only piece missing. It is my sincere hope that Minister Coleman, and B.C. Housing, will step forward with operating funds that will ensure the community of Delta is provided with this critical service,” said Huntington.
“The transition house in Richmond is full and turns away as many as 100 women and children a month. The government has the money, so what are we waiting for? This is a clear failure to recognize a critical opportunity for a community in need,” she added.
In an open letter to Coleman and Premier Christy Clark, New Democrat health critic Judy Darcy and housing critic David Eby called on the government to provide funding.
Delta police Chief Neil Dubord said domestic violence is a priority in Delta and having any additional capacity, whether it be in Delta, Surrey or Langley, would be beneficial, since there’s a shortage of space.
He added women fleeing abusive situations in Delta usually go to an excellent facility in Richmond, but often “the inn is full” there, meaning women will sometimes have to stay in places like the YWCA or even be put up in a hotel room.
