Those who experience domestic violence may be faced with a horrible decision: to stay with their abusers or face homelessness. “A lack of financial resources and options is the number one reason that victims of domestic violence cannot leave abusive relationships,” states Dr. Dara Richardson-Heron, CEO, YWCA USA.

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE & HOMELESSNESS

It's complex, but domestic violence can lead to homelessness. “On average, nearly 20 people per minute are physically abused by an intimate partner in the United States. In one year, this equates to more than 10 million victims,” reported the Justice Department, Office on Violence Against Women.


Once an abused person flees the abuse in a domestic violence situation, finding shelter, behavioral health services, and permanent housing can be challenging.

Fleeing Abuse: The North Family

By Leading Families Home • 04 Oct, 2022
The North family is from south Ohio. The family includes the mother, Tanisha age 32, two sons, Jack, 13 and Tyler, 12, and two daughters, Delicia, 12 and Tyrra, 3. They arrived in Toledo after fleeing domestic abuse in their home city of Columbus.

Rania Reunites with her Children & Finds a Home

By Leading Families Home • 13 Sep, 2022
Raina's journey to homelessness began in her childhood as her home life was traumatic. She witnessed abuse toward her mother and substance use by her father. Raina and her brother, Jay, were often left alone for long hours during the day and evening when Raina was only a few years old and Jay was even younger.
Children at Beach House Family Shelter in Toledo, OH

A Single Mom & 5 Kids: Charity's Story

By Leading Families Home • 06 Sep, 2022
Charity is a vivacious young mother of five children: three girls and two boys. However, when she first entered our Shelter, she was in a state of distress and her children were very anxious.
Emergency homeless shelters in Toledo, Ohio

Emergency Homeless Shelters In Toledo for Singles, Families, DV, and Youth

By Leading Families Home • 25 Sep, 2020
Need emergency shelter in Toledo, Ohio? We’re here to help! To enter a shelter, please start by calling 2-1-1, which is the entry point for all shelters in Toledo’s Continuum of Care (CoC), run by the Toledo Lucas County Homelessness Board (TLCHB). Once you connect ...

I Had to Stay Strong: A Story of Survival

By Leading Families Home • 27 Jul, 2020
Domestic violence has been cited as a significant cause of homelessness for women and children. According to Safe Housing Partners, thirty-eight percent of all domestic violence victims become homeless at some point in their lives. (Source: Baker, C., Cook, S., & Norris, F. [2003]). According ...

The Face of Homelessness (It Isn’t What You Think)

By Leading Families Home • 29 Jun, 2020
Every Person Has a Story Just like you, each homeless person has a unique story. The real reason people become homeless is due to many reasons like the recession of 2008, domestic violence, or lack of support from family members. Invisible People: Changing the Story of Homelessness ...

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE IN TOLEDO

Domestic violence is an issue facing many individuals, families, and children in Toledo, Ohio.


Housing & Domestic Violence


“Persons experiencing domestic violence, particularly women and children with limited resources. They may lack access to the safe and confidential housing necessary to protect them from their abusers. Others may face discrimination while trying to obtain housing.” (National Network to End Domestic Violence) 


Community Services


According to the United States Department of Justice, “…one in four homeless women is homeless because of violence committed against her. Whether families receive assistance from domestic violence (DV) or homeless service systems is often a matter of chance, availability of beds, and knowledge of services in a community.” (National Center on Family Homelessness)


Children & Domestic Violence


“One of the major causes of homelessness for children in the U.S. includes experiences of trauma, especially domestic violence, by their mothers and/or by the children themselves; trauma frequently precedes and prolongs homelessness for children and families.” (America’s Youngest Outcasts Fact Sheet)


The Journal of Intimate Partner Violence surveyed 180 homeless male and female youth in Columbus, Ohio, and found that 35 percent of youth were put down, called names repeatedly, or were controlled by their intimate partners in their lifetime, and 30 percent of youth were physically harmed.


Emergency Shelters for Domestic Violence Survivors


There is one emergency shelter in Toledo for those fleeing domestic violence: YWCA. The YWCA offers a confidential and safe environment that helps those who have left an abusive situation and need shelter, food, and support to get back on their feet.


YWCA

Domestic Violence Emergency Shelter


The YWCA is a domestic violence shelter for those fleeing abuse. They offer a Crisis Line at (419) 241-7386 or (888) 341-7386. The shelter’s crisis hotline is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. YWCA also offers intakes 24/7.


This emergency shelter has 17 rooms and 46 beds.


Services offered include:

  • Court Advocacy
  • Safety Planning
  • Emotional Support
  • Domestic Violence Support Groups
  • Transportation
  • Safe Space for Endangered Pets
  • Community Outreach
  • Community Education
  • Children’s Activities and Advocacy
  • Economic Empowerment Groups
  • Linkage to Community Resources
  • Assistance with Independent Housing

Learn More About Homelessness

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