Her Home Housing Project - Backgrounder (Feb 2015 - For

Her Home Housing Project Backgrounder
In 2004, Interval House launched a groundbreaking
partnership with private-sector landlords. Never
before had the private sector made such a
generous commitment to helping a women’s
shelter in Canada.
INT E R V A L HO U SE
As the first shelt er for
abused women a nd
children in Ca nada,
we are leaders in t he
campaign for women’ s empowerment,
providing innovative,
specialized services
that help a bused
women a nd their children transform their
lives a nd break t he
cycle of violence.
CONTACT US
Minto Management Limited, GWL Realty Advisors,
CAPREIT and Oxford Residential came together to
form the Her Home Housing Project. This group
represented Canada’s first private-sector secondstage housing program – a program that goes
beyond the need for emergency help, and gives
women a real stepping stone to rebuilding their
lives.
Why is this important?
What is the Her Home Housing Project ?
Across Ontario, women who have experienced abuse are finding it increasingly difficult  Housing units are offered by private
to access safe, affordable housing. With over
landlords to women survivors of
158,000 families on the waiting list it can take
abuse at rent-geared-to-income
5-10 years to obtain subsidized housing. By
rates for one year
offering clients another housing option:
www.intervalhouse.ca
jhuynh@intervalhouse.ca

Interval House can accept new clients
who are in crisis, and whose very lives are
at risk

Women are offered a stepping stone to
independence by alleviating some of their
monthly expenses, and allowing them to
live and raise their children in neighbourhoods that are not stigmatized by poverty
and violence
416-924-1411 ext. 227
Twitter: @Interval_House


Interval House supports these
women as they transition into their
new homes, careers, and lives
Our Current Partners
Women can move toward independence
while still receiving wrap-around support
Minto Management Inc.
GWL Realty Advisors
CAPREIT
Oxford Residential
Information Technology Solutions
How does it work?
INT E R V A L HO U SE
As the first shelt er for
abused women a nd
children in Ca nada,
we are leaders in t he
campaign for women’ s empowerment,
providing innovative,
specialized services
that help a bused
women a nd their children transform their
lives a nd break t he
cycle of violence.
CONTACT US
www.intervalhouse.ca
jhuynh@intervalhouse.ca
416-924-1411 ext. 227
Twitter: @Interval_House
STEP ONE
Workers identify women
who would benefit from
this affordable housing
option, complete a referral
application and submit to
Interval House. The main
criteria for entry into the
Her Home Housing Project
is that the client must be
involved with Interval
House’s BESS (Building
Economic Self-Sufficiency) employment program, and work toward finding
employment. This involvement helps ensure that once her one year Her Home
Housing Project lease is up, she will be more likely to afford market-value rent.
STEP TWO
Interval House may then request an intake/assessment appointment(s). If client
is accepted, Interval House moves forward with securing a Her Home unit. The
landlord charges the client 30% of her income for rent (an average of $300 per
month) and forgives the balance of the rent. Clients on Ontario Works may pay
a minimum of $180, depending on their family size.
STEP THREE
Interval House continues to work with the woman by helping her transition into
her new home, and providing ongoing employment support. A housing worker
conducts scheduled check-ins, helps mediate any issues that may arise, and helps
the woman identify her housing options as the term of her one year Her Home
Housing Project lease nears expiry.
Interval House will also liaise with landlords, providing updates and assisting with
client relations.
“ The Her Home Housing Project provided
me with possibilities for a better
future. Living in my building among nice
people gave me back my pride and a hope
for better times.”