Women fleeing abuse in the Sault area have gained another resource to help them reach a better tomorrow. A new partnership will bring legal experts specializing in housing rights to the Women in Crisis Algoma’s Community Connection Centre. A celebratory event marked the beginning of the new ‘Trauma-Informed Housing Law Partnership’ this week. On the second Wednesday of each month, the Algoma Community Legal Clinic will now host a Women’s Housing Rights Clinic at the connection centre on Bay Street. Legal support to prevent homelessness Jessica Fischer, housing law coordinator at the legal clinic, outlined the primary goal of the initiative to CTV News. “The primary goal of the Women’s Housing Legal Clinic is to provide legal support for women experiencing housing law issues … to prevent homelessness, to protect their long-term tenancies, as well as, if necessary, a safe way to end their tenancy if they’re fleeing abuse,” she said. Up to five lawyers and paralegals will rotate in the new effort, along with trauma-informed support from crisis staff. Domestic violence: a major driver of homelessness Officials with the legal clinic say the venture is a perfect fit, with domestic violence being a major contributor to homelessness for women. Nuala Kenny, executive director of the Algoma Community Legal Clinic, emphasized the urgency of the work. “We know from police statistics and crime statistics that with a major economic impact, like the layoffs at the plant, we’re seeing increased domestic violence situations and we want to be, you know, at the ready,” she said. Services under one roof This partnership adds to a suite of services at the connection centre. Since beginning operations last fall, the facility provides a safe space for counselling, referrals and family law support for women fleeing abuse. Nicole Goulet, a community service supervisor for Women in Crisis, explained to CTV News what this means for women seeking help. “When she may be full of that fear and that you know, unknown, it means she can come to a place, be supported, not have to tell her story continuously, over and over to different agencies. She can come here and we can reach out to all of the agencies that she will need to support her in moving forward.” Expansion beyond Sault Ste. Marie The new partnership is also preparing to take its work beyond the Sault. Family law experts from the centre will join the Algoma Community Legal Clinic when it heads to Elliott Lake for a housing rights clinic sometime in the near future. RELATED STORIES:
