Executive Director Janis Broderick spoke to the Human Services Advisory Council last week about the link between domestic violence and homelessness along with an increased need for the organization's services during the COVID-19 pandemic.
"Domestic violence is the cause of homelessness in the great majority of families and female-identified persons in shelters or violence survivors," she said on Thursday.
"Studies show that 74 percent of domestic violence survivors stay with their abuser longer or return to an abusive situation because they cannot shelter and feed their children. I would estimate that at least 95 percent of those who come to us are having housing issues. Many are fleeing danger, others are struggling with the activeness of violent relationships, so addressing homelessness poverty and housing stability is critical to stop the cycle of violence."