Women’s Resource Centre Housing Campaign

The Women’s Resource Centre [WRC] recently launched a comprehensive Housing Advocacy Campaign to highlight the critical issue of housing insecurity in Bermuda, with a particular focus on the challenges faced by women and single-income families.

A spokesperson said, “In alignment with the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which recognizes housing as a fundamental human right, the WRC is calling attention to the increasing difficulties that many families in Bermuda are experiencing in securing safe, adequate, and affordable housing.

Housing Insecurity: A Growing Crisis

“We know that the community is well aware of the present challenges in our housing market. However, in recent months, the WRC has witnessed a sharp increase in the number of women seeking assistance due to housing insecurity.”

“We receive calls on a weekly, sometimes daily basis from women who are struggling to find affordable housing for themselves and their children,” said Juanae Crockwell, WRC Executive Director. “So far in 2024, 98 women have contacted us for help with securing housing, and this represents just a small fraction of the women in Bermuda who are facing this crisis.”

The spokesperson said, “Women are disproportionately affected by housing insecurity in Bermuda, as they often bear the sole responsibility of housing their children. The lack of affordable housing options not only endangers their well-being but also exacerbates other issues such as domestic abuse and poverty.

“The WRC’s Transformational Living Centre for Families [TLC] was established by WRC to address the housing needs of single mothers and their children. Since March 2024, the TLC have had 42 women reach out for emergency housing for themselves and their children and a further 21 looking for a more affordable housing option.

“With the capacity to accommodate only nine families, the TLC is unable to meet the overwhelming demand for housing assistance.

Advocating for Change: The Housing Campaign and Survey

“In response to the crisis, the WRC launched the ‘Access to Housing’ advocacy campaign in July 2024. This campaign aims to raise awareness about key issues related to housing insecurity, including:

• Housing as a Human Right: The right to adequate housing is enshrined in international human rights law and is central to women’s equality.

• Defining Affordable Housing: Affordable housing is typically defined as housing that costs no more than 30% of a household’s gross monthly income. With Bermuda’s median gross income at $68,826 annually [as of May 2023], affordable housing should cost approximately $1,700 per month. However, the reality is that most housing options far exceed this threshold, making it difficult for single-income families to secure stable housing.

• Disproportionate Impact on Women: 82% of single-income households in Bermuda are headed by women, highlighting how rising housing costs disproportionately affect women, particularly single mothers. Furthermore, women with children often face discrimination when seeking rental housing, a violation of the Bermuda Human Rights Act 1981.

• Domestic Abuse and Housing: The lack of affordable housing is both a cause and consequence of domestic abuse, forcing many women to stay with or return to abusive partners due to financial or housing constraints.

“As part of the campaign, the WRC is conducting a Housing Survey to collect data from women across Bermuda about their housing situations.”

“We need this raw data to truly highlight how this crisis is affecting women and their families,” Ms. Crockwell explained. “The survey is available on our website and will remain open through August 31st. We urge all women in Bermuda to participate and share their experiences.”

“After collecting and analysing the data from the survey, we will share our findings and use them to further inform and strengthen our advocacy efforts on this critical issue.”

The Urgency of Housing First

The spokesperson said, “At the WRC, we operate from the ‘Housing First’ principle, recognizing that stable housing is the foundation for addressing other socio-emotional challenges. Without secure and affordable housing, many women in our community are unable to focus on improving their lives or achieving self-sufficiency. Housing insecurity is linked to a range of negative outcomes, including poor mental and physical health, disrupted child development, unemployment and increased vulnerability to domestic abuse.

Community Action

“Addressing community issues like affordable housing requires a collective effort from all sectors of society. While we rely on legislators and policymakers to implement high-level changes that mitigate this crisis, there is also a critical role for citizens to play in making housing more accessible.

“Homeowners, in particular, have a unique opportunity to contribute to the solution. We understand that home ownership and being a landlord come with their own set of challenges. However, we believe that socially conscious homeowners can make a significant impact in our community.

“We are in the process of building a database of socially conscious landlords who are willing to offer their rental units at affordable rates. If you are a homeowner who wants to be part of the solution to this housing crisis, we encourage you to contact us to be added to our database.

Conclusion

“Housing is deeply fundamental to the success of individuals and communities. The WRC’s Housing Advocacy Campaign seeks to bring this issue to the forefront of public discourse and urge policymakers, community leaders, and the public to take action. By addressing housing insecurity, we can create a more equitable and just society where all women have the opportunity to thrive.

“For more information about the WRC’s Housing Advocacy Campaign, to register as a Socially Conscious Landlord, or to participate in the Housing Survey, please visit www.wrcbermuda.com or visit us at our Church Street location.”

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