Q: How big is your shelter?
A: We are a 25-bed shelter, with 10 separate bedrooms. Women share a room with their children and a house with 9 other women and their families. We have one living room, one dining room, one kitchen and three bathrooms in the house.

Q: Who generally uses your services?
A: Our services are here for women and their children fleeing violence. The women come to us from all different backgrounds and are all different ages.

Q: How do women find out about Women's Habitat?
A: There are a number of ways that women can access the shelter. Some women come to us through referrals from the police or a hospital, while others find the shelter by calling information, searching the internet, or through friends or family.

Q: What do women do if there is no room at the shelter?
A: Women's Habitat often runs at full capacity and therefore there are many times when we cannot accommodate women and children in need of help. If we are full, we call other shelter in the city to find the woman a room. If she likes, the woman can also become a client of our Outreach Program that provides services to women outside of the shelter. If a woman comes to the shelter and we have no space, we will not turn her away until we find somewhere safe for her to go.

Q: How long do women and their children stay at Women's Habitat?
A: The average stay is four to six months, although many families stay even longer than that. In the past, the average stay was closer to six weeks, however, the lack of affordable housing has contributed to lengthier stays.

Q: Where do the women come from?
A: Generally, the women come from all across the Greater Toronto Area. We have even had women from Calgary, Edmonton and Texas in the past couple of years. It is rare that a woman from Etobicoke would be at the shelter since that would be a safety issue for her. She would be more likely to run into her partner and would not have as much freedom to go about her neighbourhood.

Q: Where do you receive funding?
A: The following is a breakdown of our funding:

Q: What do you use fundraised money for?
A: We use the money to purchase items that we are not directly funded for. For example:

• Grocery gift cards to "fill a fridge" when a woman moves out of the shelter and into her home
• TTC tickets for the women and children
• Special trips such as Ontario Place or The Exhibition
• Holiday Hamper program to provide a Happy Holiday for a woman and her family who uses our services

Q: How long has Women's Habitat been around?
A: Women's Habitat began in 1978 to fulfill a short-term need. Unfortunately, 30 years later, we are still here and the need is greater than ever.

Q: Which are the donation policies for Women's Habitat?
A: With the help of the community, Women's Habitat has always been able to make life a little bit brighter for women and their children fleeing violence. If you are interested in donating to us, we ask that you consider our Guidelines for Giving,