*Written by Marion Davis, a long-serving member of REACH's Board of Directors.
One of the most common questions domestic violence survivors face is: “Why didn’t you leave?”
The answers are as complex as life itself, but the main reason is often simple. Where would they go? For every survivor who has a mom, sibling or friend they can move in with, many more have no viable option – certainly not beyond a few days.
This is why, if we want to make our communities safe for survivors and their children, we must do everything in our power to create more affordable housing options.
Just in the past few days, Gov. Maura Healey has taken two major actions on housing – one very positive, the other devastating for survivors. We’ll start with the good news. On Aug. 6, the Governor signed a $5.2 billion funding package that will support construction of tens of thousands of new affordable units, modernize public housing, and help people buy their first home. Accompanying reforms will also make it easier to add in-law apartments, turn commercial properties into housing, and more.
It is truly historic legislation, but it is not enough. State officials have said Massachusetts needs at least 200,000 new housing units by 2030 just to stabilize the market, and several other key measures supported by advocates – many to help renters – were not included.
For survivors, the biggest challenge is that these units will take years to materialize. And while rents have stabilized a bit, they are still far too high for most survivors: The median rent in Waltham right now is $2,800, and in Newton, $3,400. Those are steep prices for a single parent in the best of times, and survivors are often in financial distress when they leave their abusers, with little or no cash of their own.
At least they can stay in our shelter, right?
Actually, no. We’re proud of our beautiful shelter, which provides a comfortable, home-like atmosphere for survivors and their children, along with counseling and practical assistance. But it’s a house, not an apartment complex. Over the course of fiscal 2024, we were able to host 21 families.
Only 10 of those families were new arrivals. Because affordable housing is so difficult to find, and competition is so intense, many survivors have to stay with us for many months. Some have successfully used housing vouchers to get apartments, then lost their housing when the vouchers expired.
“We try to prevent this from happening, so we work with survivors to explain the housing crisis and understand their housing needs,” says Bianca Ruiz, Director of Residential Programs at REACH. “We explain all options available: rapid rehousing, co-sheltering, transitional living programs, public housing, Section 8 vouchers, market-rate units, staying with family or friends… We consider location, support systems, schools, employment, any safety risks, and we help them pursue all realistic opportunities.”
As the Boston Globe recently reported, other agencies in Greater Boston are struggling just as much as we are. Yet despite our best efforts, we often can’t help survivors who desperately need shelter.
“It’s rare we have space,” Bianca says. “We usually only have space if someone is transitioning out into their own housing.” The REACH team connects survivors to SafeLink, the statewide domestic violence support hotline, and tries to help them find space in another shelter, but often there is none.
“Then we try to find homeless shelters, or programs that support short-term hotel placements,” Bianca adds. “Some hospitals have emergency beds for special circumstances like domestic violence.”
This is where Governor Healey’s second action on housing comes in. As you may have heard, an influx of migrant families – many of them in desperate need – has overwhelmed the state’s emergency shelter system, even as we faced a homelessness crisis due to the lack of affordable housing. Demand has been so high that, in July, officials said the emergency shelter program would cost over $1 billion this fiscal year.
So Governor Healey imposed draconian new restrictions limiting families’ stays at overflow shelters to five business days, and then barring them from accessing longer-term shelters for at least six months. The rules are particularly harsh for recently arrived migrants, but they will also affect survivors.
“Limiting the time that families can spend in an emergency shelter, especially when fleeing from domestic violence, can create a dangerous situation where persons or families feel they have no other choice but to return to their abuser,” says Travis Hinton, Director of Program Management at REACH. “Knowing there is a time limit may also prevent individuals from seeking help, because they feel they won’t have enough time in shelter to improve their situation or secure new safe housing.”
But why are we sharing all this? What can you possibly do?
First of all, recognize the connections. If you’re passionate about ending domestic violence, be passionate about affordable housing and emergency shelter for the unhoused. They’re inextricably linked.
Second, let public officials know how you feel. Advocates are already urging Governor Healey to reverse her shelter decision, but local mayors, city and town councilors and zoning boards also need to know that you support affordable housing construction. “NIMBY” resistance has been a major barrier to housing growth, particularly in suburbs like MetroWest, which REACH serves. It’s time to change that.
Third, don’t let good housing go to waste. Many homes have finished basements, garage apartments and other “in-law” units that aren’t always occupied. Some multi-family houses also have vacant apartments. If you’re fortunate enough to have a space you could rent out, consider renting it at below-market rates to a domestic violence survivor, alone or with their children.
You might just save a life.
Amarely Gutiérrez-Oliver is executive director of REACH Beyond Domestic Violence, based in Waltham. Marion Davis is a member of the REACH board of directors. If you are concerned about your relationship or have concerns about a friend or family member, call our free and confidential hotline at 800-899-4000, available 24/7.
