Women’s Housing Research

When Marguerite Dyson was murdered in 1996, SJSWC made a commitment to research housing conditions for women in St. John’s.

Initial funding was obtained from the Bronfman Family Foundation and later attracted funding from both Health Canada and Status of Women Canada. Over the past several years of work in this area, several extensive housing research studies have been produced.

Reports

Hammer and Nail Project (2002)
Something’s Got to Change (2003)
Assessment of Housing Needs for Low Income Women in St. John’s: Finl Report
Affordable Housing for Women in St. John’s” A Cost-Benefit Approach
Women’s Risk of Homelessness in Newfoundland and Labrador
Housing Development: A Toolkit for Planning

Our research has shown that many women needing affordable housing are falling through existing gaps. With the addition of eight new units of affordable, supportive housing included in our plans for our new facility, Marguerite’s Place, we are addressing these gaps.

1. Hammer and Nail Project (2002)

The Hammer and Nail Project (2002) explored housing for women in St. John’s. Interviews were completed and community stakeholders were consulted. Women spoke of living in run down boarding homes where doors did not lock; where mice and other rodents were frequent visitors, and where escaping from the premises during a fire would be next to impossible. The report from this study made a variety of crucial recommendations. Repair Fairs were set up which gave women an opportunity to learn basic home repair skills such as carpentry, plumbing and troubleshooting.

The release of this report attracted the interest of the Federal Government. Status of Women Canada provided funding for this research to be expanded to include the province of Newfoundland and Labrador. A Gender Inclusive Analysis project was initiated, researching housing and issues confronted by women when trying to find affordable housing in the province.

2. Something’s Got to Change (2003

As a result, in September of 2003, the “Something’s Got to Change” Research Report was released. In October of 2003 a housing workshop was held to bring together key government and community stakeholders. This workshop resulted in the development of the Housing Policy Working Group. Funding from Status of Women Canada as well as Public Health Agency of Canada allowed this provincial group to meet via video conferencing on a regular basis to address the recommendations contained in this report. The group went on to develop A Housing Strategy for Newfoundland & Labrador.

3. Other Studies & Reports

The vision for Marguerite’s Place has grown out of this research on issues around women’s housing. With funding from Status of Women Canada we completed two feasibility studies on this initiative (Assessment of Housing Needs for Low-Income Women in St. John’s: Final Report, and Affordable Housing for Women in St. John’s: A Cost-Benefit Approach). In addition, we completed a provincial needs assessment, Women’s Risk of Homelessness in Newfoundland and Labrador, and The Women’s Policy Office (Government of Newfoundland & Labrador) funded the production of Housing Development: A Toolkit for Planning.

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