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women's housing advocacy group (WHAG)

terms of reference

problem statement

Women and children are the fastest growing group of homeless citizens in Toronto. The scope and causes of women's homelessness remain misunderstood and unaddressed, despite ample research evidence of its prevalence.

who we are

We are a network of service providers, researchers, activists, and consumers providing a gender analysis of housing and homeless issues. We work together as a culturally diverse community promoting solutions to the housing needs of women of all ages, abilities, ethnicities, races, and sexual orientations.

purpose

• We advocate for safe, affordable and permanent housing that is woman-centred and accounts for the specific needs of women and women-led families.
• We have identified a lack of women's perspective in current housing development, policy, research, activism, and media coverage, and seek to remedy this.
• We strive for a positive impact on all three levels of government, raising public awareness, offering training, community education and sources for media.

Canada: a model place to make your home
(if you have one)

Canada is a nation that is, in many respects, the envy of the world. But our history of holding pride of place in the top of the Human Development Index year after year has recently suffered a blow. Canada has begun to slide down the list of desirable places to make your home because the quality of life indicators it is predicated on have declined as a result of recent social policy decisions that have adversely affected women's rights, access to housing and aboriginal and minority rights.

perspective

We understand that women's homelessness and housing needs are distinct from those of men, and are imbedded within the context of poverty, social, racial and gender inequalities, and violence against women.

platform statements

The Women's Housing Advocacy Group invites you to read our platforms addressing the areas in need of the most attention for women's housing needs and homelessness to be solved. We identify the problems, and invite you to be part of the solution.

• sustaining, maintaining a supply of safe housing for women
• income security
• planning and designing housing for women
• support services

our structure

YWCA Toronto chairs and provides administrative support to WHAG. We meet monthly with a consensus model that allows members to participate in specific areas of our work. We require a commitment to attend meetings and carry through on decisions and work agreed to.

media contacts

Amanda Dale

Director of Advocacy & Communications
YWCA Toronto
416.961.8100 ext 350

Heather McGregor

Executive Director
YWCA Toronto
416.961.8100 ext 312

more

about WHAG
Canada: more on the crisis

platform statements:

• sustaining, maintaining a supply of safe housing for women
• income security
• planning and designing housing for women
• support services

download :
WHAG platform statements

policy papers & deputations
No Religious Arbitration Coalition
week without violence
violence against women programs
if you are experiencing violence
women's housing advocacy group (WHAG)

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