After 30 years, it's finally time for a new shelter. We've renovated, painted and touched up as much as we possibly can and now it's time to start fresh. The shelter was never built for long-term stays. Today, the average stay for a woman is four to six months compared to six weeks when we first opened in 1978. We want to support a new way of providing services to woman-led families.

Although Women's Habitat is situated in south Etobicoke, our reach is far greater. Women come from all over the GTA and in fact, from all over the province to use the shelter and services that the agency provides.

Why our need for a new shelter exists:

• Recent discovery of mould throughout the basement, administrative, storage, laundry room and bathroom of the shelter
• Cracks in foundations - continued water problems in basement
• Shelter square footage is not large enough
• No space in kitchen for communal meals
• Aging building with increasing need for repairs each year
• Inaccessible, impossible to retrofit for accessibility
• Insufficient outdoor space
• Insufficient office space
• No meeting space
• Small playroom
• No possibility for expansion on current lot

A new shelter creates the possibility for providing services in a new way.

Accessibility - An accessible shelter is essential. For the past 30 years, Women's Habitat has been unable to accommodate women with mobility issues, such as those using a wheelchair. We have only been able to provide limited services to women who have mobility issues due to age. Pregnant women, or women who have problems with stairs, have also been difficult to service in the current location. Studies show that women with disabilities face an increased risk of violence and a new building would be constructed with this in mind.

Energy Efficiency and Sustainability - By constructing an energy and water efficient building, we will be able to substantially decrease our operating costs. Examples could be: water efficient toilets; water efficient shower heads; energy efficient light bulbs; and a rooftop garden. We will research and apply for available energy grants.

Decrease conflict - Living in a shelter is never easy. Over the years, staff has become familiar with areas that are particularly prone to conflict. Food, chores and interactions between children or different approaches to parenting are the main causes of friction. In short, communal living is wrought with conflict.

A new shelter would be an opportunity to have an affect over these areas from the get go. Rooms with kitchenettes and bathrooms would enable women to have more control over their lives, and live more independently within the shelter.

Increase Independence
Although overall, the shelter experience is reported to be a positive one, women often state that the lack of privacy and independence are the worst parts of shelter living. This proposal includes plans to provide women with more privacy and more control over their lives. Kitchenettes would give women the opportunity to provide foods that are appropriate for their family. Meals would still be provided for women who were in crisis or chose to eat in the main area. Women would also have the choice to access food for preparation in their suite.

Private bathrooms would provide for more privacy and end the need to coordinate bathroom time. They will also help prevent the spread of communicable disease, such as common stomach ailments and flu viruses.