The federal and provincial governments have partnered to help support gender-diverse people, women, and children who are leaving violence.

The $4.6 million is a one-time grant and is part of a larger range of initiatives funded through the Canada-British Columbia bilateral agreement to end gender-based violence announced in December 2023.

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“Home is more than four walls and a roof,” said Christine Boyle, B.C. Minister of Housing and Municipal Affairs. “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 funding advances work under Safe and Supported: B.C.’s Gender-Based Violence Action Plan, which provides support to survivors, invests in community healing, and prevents violence and exploitation. 

“Addressing gender-based violence requires sustained, co-ordinated action,” said Rechie Valdez, federal Minister of Women and Gender Equality. “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.”

Of the funds, $4.3 million has already been distributed through the 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 helps providers maintain operational capacity, support survivors during critical incidents, and assist survivors’ independence.

Money from this funding also gives small bursaries to support survivor’s financial independence, buys new supplies and equipment, such as furniture and playground equipment, trains staff on gender-based awareness, and provides for repairs, including accessibility upgrades for those with disabilities.

“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,” said Jennifer Blatherwick, parliamentary secretary for gender equity.

Training is another aim of the funding, with a $300,000 grant going 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.

“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,” said Karen Mason, co-founder and executive director of SOAR. “We’re confident it will give those in the housing sector in British Columbia the knowledge and tools they need in their daily work.”

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.

“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,” said Margaret Pfoh, CEO, AHMA.

“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.”