Women’s Shelters Canada is launching the second edition of our national profile of shelters and transition houses (THs) serving women, children, and gender-diverse individuals fleeing violence. Shelters across Canada will be invited to complete the 2025 National Survey in March 2025. This study builds from our 2019 More Than a Bed report, capturing new data to identify emerging challenges, trends, and opportunities in the shelter sector 

This information will raise awareness, promote policy reform, and further support shelters/THs nationwide. Findings from the survey will be a vital source of a Canadian-wide foundation of knowledge and evidence in the shelter sector that can be leveraged to advocate at all levels of government. Findings will be shared in a final report, with preliminary results disseminated and regular updates provided on our social channels starting in summer 2025. 

Our first national profile, More Than a Bed: A National Profile of VAW Shelters and Transition Houses, highlighted critical gaps in funding, staffing challenges, and the increasing demand for shelter services.  

With data from 401 shelters across Canada, the report played a key role in shaping national conversations, influencing policy discussions, and advocating for increased support for the sector.  

Findings from the report highlighted severe capacity issues experienced by violence against women (VAW) shelters across Canada, with 40% operating at full capacity almost all the time. The lack of affordable housing was another focal point, with only 31% of shelters able to help residents find and secure stable housing during their stay. The survey highlighted worsening staffing shortages and employment conditions, with 55% of shelters reporting burnout and high staff turnover as major challenges. Of the 5,567 reported workers, 32% were precariously employed as casual or relief staff, leading to instability in service delivery.  

Recommendations from the report included an increase in the number of shelters, particularly in major cities, as well as in rural and remote areas, and advocacy for the development and implementation of a National Action Plan on Violence Against Women. 

You can access the 2019 report here: https://endvaw.ca/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/More-Than-a-Bed-Final-Report.pdf  

Survey Guide

This guide is designed to assist participants in completing the Comprehensive Shelter/Transition House (TH) Questionnaire for the Women’s Shelters Canada 2025 National Survey. It provides an overview of the survey’s purpose, instructions for participation, and definitions of key terms. The guide also answers frequently asked questions.

National Survey Questions

This is the complete list of survey questions. Please do not fill in this document. Contact Chika at research@endvaw.ca, if you are unable to complete the survey via the online link.

2025 Study Advisory Committee Members

  • Hannah Lee, Director of Membership, BC Society of Transition Houses (BCSTH)
  • Miranda Pilipchuk, Research & Evaluation Coordinator, Alberta Council of Women’s Shelters (ACWS) 
  • Dan Meades, Provincial Co-ordinator, Transition House Association of Newfoundland and Labrador (THANL) 
  • Michelle Parsons, Executive Director, Yukon Women’s Transition Home Society (YWTHS) 
  • Marlene Ham, Executive Director, Ontario Association of Interval and Transition Houses (OAITH) 

If you have any questions, please contact Robyn Hoogendam, Research and Policy Manager, or Chika Maduakolam, Research Coordinator, at research[@]endvaw.ca