Home » News & Resources » Letter to the Editor: Bond Would Deliver Needed Shelter Housing (October 15, 2006)

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Bond Would Deliver Needed Shelter Housing

LETTER TO THE EDITOR
San Diego Union Tribune
Published: October 15, 2006

As president of the board of directors of the YWCA of San Diego County and Becky's House, we are in disagreement of your position against Proposition 1C ("Bonds, pro and con/1A, 1B and 1E deliver, but others disappoint," Editorial, Sept. 29). The board and staff of the YWCA and Becky's House Domestic Violence Program urge support for Proposition 1C, the Affordable Housing Bond Proposition.

This bond issue would provide the very necessary and critical financing for the creation of additional housing for the victims of domestic violence. Last year 360 women and children were turned away from the San Diego Becky's House Emergency Shelter because all of the beds were filled. Last year over 5,100 women and children were turned away from domestic violence shelters statewide because they were full. Every time a woman and her children are turned away, they are potential homicide victims.

The YWCA and Becky's House currently consists of only 10 homes, 14 under construction and an additional 50 beds in the emergency shelters. The success stories of these families are inspirational. The children and their mothers who complete the program have broken the cycle of terror and violence that once dominated their lives. They have learned how to become productive and self-sustaining families contributing to our community in a positive way.

Last year 120 women with 190 children who had completed our 30-day emergency program were unable to move to Becky's House transitional housing because we were filled to capacity. If they were unable to find housing, they had three options available: Go back to their abusive homes, move to a homeless shelter or move to the street. The housing shortage for these families is at emergency levels. The Proposition 1C bond financing is desperately needed by our agency. There is no government shelter for the victims of domestic violence. The YWCA and other nonprofit agencies are the only safe refuge for these victims and their children.

We urge your readers to support Proposition 1C to provide future housing for the victims of domestic violence.

Roberta Spoon
San Diego