$4.6 million to support survivors of gender-based violence

GENDER-DIVERSE people, women and their children who are leaving violence will find support through a $4.6-million partnership between the federal and provincial governments.

“Home is more than four walls and a roof,” said Christine Boyle, B.C. Minister of Housing and Municipal Affairs, on Wednesday. “It is a place of safety, a place of healing and a place where dignity is restored. With these funds, people fleeing violence will benefit from the enhanced housing supports and training provided to non-profit providers who work with survivors every day.”

The funds are a one-time grant and are part of a broader range of initiatives funded through the Canada-British Columbia bilateral agreement to end gender-based violence announced in December 2023. The funding advances work under Safe and Supported: B.C.’s Gender-Based Violence Action Plan, which aims to provide timely support to survivors, invest in community healing, and prevent violence and exploitation.

“Addressing gender-based violence requires sustained, co-ordinated action,” said Rechie Valdez, federal Minister of Women and Gender Equality and Secretary of State (Small Business and Tourism). “Through this investment as part of the National Action Plan to End Gender-based Violence, the federal government is helping to ensure that victims and survivors in British Columbia can access the services and support they need, where and when they need it. We will continue working with provincial and community partners to improve supports and deliver real, measurable progress for survivors.”

The $4.3 million was disbursed through BC Housing’s Women’s Transition Housing and Supports Program to almost 90 non-profit providers of women’s shelters and transition housing and the Aboriginal Housing Management Association (AHMA).

Funding will help providers maintain operational capacity, support survivors during critical incidents and assist survivors’ independence. The funding is supporting initiatives, including:

* small bursaries to support survivor’s financial independence

* new supplies and equipment, such as furniture and playground equipment

* gender-based violence staff awareness training and development opportunities

* minor capital repairs, including accessibility upgrades for gender-diverse people and those with disabilities

In addition to the $4.3 million in one-time grants, $300,000 was awarded to Supporting Survivors of Abuse and Brain Injury through Research (SOAR) for a comprehensive gender-based violence response training program for shelter, housing and homelessness service providers supporting people that have experienced gender-based violence.

The online program, Supporting Survivors: Addressing Gender-Based Violence in Housing, set to launch in summer 2026, gives particular attention to the higher risks faced by Indigenous women and the connection between gender-based violence and brain injuries. It includes training modules, educational plans and best practices on identifying and addressing gender-based violence. It was developed in collaboration with AHMA, the BC Society of Transition Houses and Homelessness Services Association of BC.

Jennifer Blatherwick, parliamentary secretary for gender equity, said: “This funding brings meaningful help to people who are leaving violence and working to rebuild their lives. When we provide safe housing, enhanced support and trained workers who understand survivors’ needs, we create the conditions for strength, healing and recovery. I’m grateful to the federal government for this investment so women, children and gender-diverse people have the safety, dignity and respect they deserve.”

Vincent Tong, CEO, BC Housing, said: “We are grateful for the investments through the National Action Plan, which enable us to develop a comprehensive gender-based violence response training program. This funding deepens awareness of the risks faced by Indigenous women and the connection between gender-based violence and brain injury, and supports grants to the Women’s Transition Housing and Supports Program sector. These investments strengthen our ability to support survivors with safety, dignity and trauma-informed care.”

Karen Mason, co-founder and executive director, SOAR, said: “Given the high rates of gender-based violence among Indigenous people and the large number of survivors experiencing brain injury as a result of gender-based violence, our team was particularly pleased to contribute to this project. We’re confident it will give those in the housing sector in British Columbia the knowledge and tools they need in their daily work.”

Margaret Pfoh, CEO, AHMA, said: “This one-time BC Housing grant supports non-profit housing providers responding to the urgent needs of survivors of gender-based violence. It aligns with AHMA’s anti-gender-based violence housing strategy by strengthening the capacity to provide culturally responsive, survivor-centred housing approaches. Additional supports are critical for for-Indigenous, by-Indigenous housing providers, who are working to address systemic barriers and improve safety, stability and housing outcomes for Indigenous women, girls and 2SLGBTQQIA+ people.”