Erika Martino

Summary: Domestic and family violence is both a cause and result of women’s housing insecurity and homelessness. Through an examination of four women’s housing projects in Melbourne and Vancouver, Erika’s thesis frames women’s housing as an important but overlooked form of safety infrastructure shaped by an ethic of care. Findings suggest that women’s safety is contingent on their access to adequate housing, spatial safety, and provider access to long-term funding. Diversity of housing stock, secure occupancies, strength-based surveillance practices, opportunities to build social connections; and wrap-around supports and services are also critical factors. Delivery of this form of housing requires building the capacity of women’s housing providers – by valuing local knowledge, land ownership and leadership, and advocacy across multiple scales. Housing policy and programs can and should make a more substantive and sustained contribution to tackling domestic and family violence.
Recipient of PhD Scholarship from the Melbourne Social Equity Institute, University of Melbourne (June 2016)