BC Housing provides funding for Transition Houses, Safe Homes and Second Stage Housing programs that support women (with or without dependent children) who have experienced violence or are at risk of experiencing violence by providing temporary shelter/housing and support services.

Last year, approximately 16,000 women and children stayed at Transition Houses and Safe Homes in British Columbia.

Transition Houses provide:

Emotional support, crisis intervention, safety planning
Safe, temporary 24/7 staffed shelter, typically for 30 days
Referrals to and assistance in accessing support services and housing, financial, medical and legal assistance

Safe Homes are often located in small, remote communities where there typically is not a Transition House. Safe Homes provide:

Emotional support, crisis intervention, safety planning
Safe, temporary short term shelter, typically for 5-7 days
Referrals to and assistance in accessing support services and housing, financial, medical and legal assistance

Second Stage Housing supports women who have left abusive relationships make plans for independent living. Second Stage Housing provides:

Emotional support, crisis intervention, safety planning
Safe, affordable, temporary housing, typically for 6-18 months
Referrals to and assistance in accessing support services and housing, financial, medical and legal assistance

Immediate danger?

If you are in immediate danger:

- Call the police - dial 911 or your community police number
- Call a transition house or safe home in your community
- Call Victim Link, toll-free 24/7 at 1-800-563-0808

Related Resources

The Provincial Office of Domestic Violence is a part of the Ministry for Children and Family Development and the permanent lead for the B.C. government in coordinating and strengthening services for children and families affected by domestic violence.

Victim Services and Crime Prevention Division of the Ministry of Justice provides Stopping the Violence Counselling , Children Who Witness Abuse Counselling and community-based Outreach and Multicultural Outreach Services to women and children fleeing violence.

BC Society of Transition Houses is a non-profit association of Transition, Second and Third Stage Houses, Safe Homes, Children Who Witness Abuse Programs and other groups which serve the needs of women and their children fleeing violence.