Exploring the use of Hotels as Alternative Housing by Domestic Violence Shelters During COVID-19

Abstract

Domestic violence shelters present a unique context within the congregate living sector in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. Shelters supporting women during the pandemic had to change service delivery models to include housing women in hotels to adhere to government restrictions and ensure women, and their children, were not homeless. The purpose of this study was to explore the impact of hotel use as alternative housing for women experiencing domestic violence during the COVID-19 pandemic in Ontario, Canada. We used interpretive description methodology, including in-depth interviews with 8 women using shelter services, 26 shelter workers and 5 focus groups with 24 executive directors of women’s shelters and other organizations who serve women who have experienced domestic violence. We identified and explored three main tensions in housing women at hotels compared to shelters: 1) autonomy/independence versus support, 2) a better option, the only option, and/or a safety concern, and 3) adequacy of hotels as housing. Drawbacks and benefits of the use of hotels as housing for women in the context of domestic violence are explored and recommendations are highlighted.