Margaret Laurence House offers supported second stage housing to women and their children who have left abusive relationships.
Women come to us, often from transition houses, and stay for up to a year. Margaret Laurence House is a safe, supportive place to live while families make plans for their future and seek necessary resources in the community.
The program has two components. The residential program offers temporary accommodation for up to one year in six townhouse units in a confidential location. While at Margaret Laurence House individual supportive counselling is offered as well as community building among residents. Staff also work with residents to ensure they have affordable and appropriate long-term housing to move into when they leave MLH.
The outreach program was started in 2003 to address the needs of women for whom housing at MLH was not immediately available and for women who are no longer living at MLH but may still need to access support and counselling during their transition. Women in the outreach program are provided with similar services to women living at MLH, including assistance in locating safe and affordable housing.
MLH is supported mainly by the BC Housing Corporation and by rental income.