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DWC Keeps More Women
Safe During the
Winter Months
Since our Residence opened in 1986, the Downtown Women’s Center has
provided 47 units of permanent supportive housing to formerly homeless
women. While this continues to be an essential resource, the women who
find a home with us are only a small fraction of those in need. The
economic downturn has significantly increased the number of people
becoming homeless, thus it is more difficult for both newly and
chronically homeless women to access important resources.
“We have always been proud of our responsiveness to changing community
needs,” states
Executive Director Lisa Watson.
“Not addressing this crisis would have been contrary to our values.”
Thanks to support from the
Emergency Food and Shelter Program,
the
United Way of Greater Los Angeles,
the
L.A. County Department of Mental Health’s Specialized Shelter Bed
Program,
and the
Sunshine Lady Foundation,
we have been able to offer expanded resources to meet growing housing
needs. In addition to permanent supportive housing, we are offering
emergency motel vouchers that allow a few days’ stay; rental assistance
to prevent homelessness; and transitional housing within our Residence.
In the past year, 29 women have been assisted by these new housing
program components, and five “failure to pay rent” evictions were
prevented.
As DWC continues to advocate for the end of homelessness through
solutions such as permanent supportive housing, we also support
innovative approaches that meet women where they are and close the gaps
that prevent housing stability.
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