Girls, Homelessness, and COVID-19

Abstract

Equitable access to adequate housing has increasingly been recognized as a matter of life and death during the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite this, there has been limited gendered analysis of how COVID-19 has shaped girls’ access to housing. In this article we analyze how the socio-economic exclusion of girls who are homeless is likely to increase during the COVID-19 pandemic in Canada. We suggest that three structural inequities will deepen this exclusion: the disproportionate burden of poverty faced by women; the inequitible childcare responsibilities women bear; and the proliferation of violence against women. We argue for the development of a research agenda that can address the structural conditions that foster pathways into homelessness for low-income and marginalized girls in the context of COVID-19 and beyond.

Preventing Gender-Based Homelessness in Canada During the COVID-19 Pandemic and Beyond: The Need to Account for Violence Against Women

“…Although people of all genders experience IPV, women and gender-diverse populations tend to experience more severe IPV and more physical, psychological, and socioeconomic impacts ( Burczycka et al, 2019 ; Canadian Centre for Justice Statistics, 2016 ; Stark, 2007 ). IPV is a major determinant of women's homelessness, which frequently remains “hidden” compared to men's homelessness ( Bernas et al, 2019 ; Maki, 2017 ; Schwan et al, 2020 ; Sev’er, 2002 ; Tutty et al, 2013 ). Women at risk of homelessness often employ survival tactics not captured in routine data collection on homelessness (e.g., relying on provisional or overcrowded accommodation, staying with violent partners, exchanging sex for shelter).…”

“…Violence against women shelters, which are chronically underfunded and often running at maximum capacity, are also typically excluded from these counts. Living or staying in homeless shelters (largely occupied by men and similarly facing capacity and funding shortages) and on the streets can increase women's risk of experiencing violence, state surveillance, criminalization, and child apprehension, particularly for Indigenous and racialized women ( Schwan et al, 2020 ). As a result, IPV survivors are often not counted in definitions of homelessness—especially “chronic homelessness,” the target of many homelessness policies ( ESDC, 2020 ).…”

“…A Canadian National Housing Strategy was formed in 2017, with long-term housing supports focused on Housing First programming. Housing First prioritizes rapid rehousing and in practice has traditionally been targeted towards those experiencing standard definitions of chronic homelessness, largely without addressing women's unique long-term housing needs ( Schwan et al, 2020 ). Reflecting this focus, evaluations of Housing First in Canada, while showing positive mental health and housing outcomes, have tended to rely on male-majority samples and a gender-neutral framework ( Oudshoorn et al, 2018 ).…”

“…As in prior infectious outbreaks, the COVID-19 pandemic has been associated with higher risks of violence against women, including IPV ( Wenham et al, 2020 ). In addition to its severe health consequences, IPV is a leading cause of women's homelessness—which both precipitates and exacerbates poor health conditions ( Daoud et al, 2016 ; Schwan et al, 2020 ). Although there are successful local examples, Canada's national response efforts have been largely siloed, limited by the nation's lack of policy frameworks on preventing gender-based violence and missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls.…”

Heterogeneity among Homeless Australian Women and Their Reasons for Homelessness Entry

“…The European Federation of National Organisations Working with the Homeless (FEANTSA) note that ‘homelessness services have been traditionally designed for male users, ignoring the specific needs of homeless women as well as their different pathways into and out of homelessness’, a situation that brings concomitant health and service delivery implications for both homeless lone women and homeless women with children [ 11 ]. For example, many homeless women have complex health issues, including those arising from trauma and abuse [ 11 ]; homeless women are more likely to rely on precarious and dangerous supports to survive [ 12 ]; and homeless women often face unique challenges, such as accessing menstruation products and maternal health care and gender inequality in employment [ 13 ].…”