Episode Information

Laura Flanders & Friends - Domestic Violence Survivor & Homeless Too? A CA Cohort Shows What Can Be Done

The war on women takes many forms - take homelessness for example. Women make up 35% of California's homeless population, and domestic violence is a leading reason why women lose their housing. For those who do manage to escape, it's confusing and often impossible to get help. Now some are calling for more gender-conscious policy. Organizations across California are coming together to address this issue, break down silos and bring survivors into decision-making. But their work is in danger. This July, VOCA (the federal Victims of Crimes Act), which funds everything from crisis hotlines to transitional housing, is slated to lose 45% of its funding. What can be done? Laura Flanders is joined by Teniecka Drake, a US Air Force veteran, and Yenni Rivera Martinez, two survivors of domestic violence-related homelessness who now work as advocates, and Krista Colon, the Senior Director of Public Policy for the California Partnership to End Domestic Violence. How does housing policy need to change? And what difference does applying a gender lens make? All that, plus a commentary from Laura. "The lack of housing for survivors and the struggles of survivors navigating the homelessness system is a commonality shared all across the state. [The HOME Cohort is] bringing folks together to work on shared solutions . . . They've produced tools for survivors . . ." - Krista Colon "See the person, not just the data. The data is attached to a person. In order to make the proper policies, you need to know who you're affecting, your constituents. You need to know who they are." - Teniecka Drake "You don't end up with zero, you end up with negative because now you're borrowing money, especially once you have a baby. How do you get formula? How do you get diapers? How do you get clothing?" - Yenni Rivera Martinez Guests: Krista Colon: Senior Director of Public Policy & Communications Strategies, California Partnership to End Domestic Violence Teniecka Drake: Survivor Advocates Team, Rainbow Services Yenni Rivera Martinez: Family System CES Coordinator, LAHSA (Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority); Survivor Advocate, California Partnership to End Domestic Violence

Series Website: https://www.lauraflanders.org

Recent and Upcoming Airings