Philadelphia lacking in emergency shelter beds

Philadelphia only has one shelter for victims of domestic violence.  City council is getting lots of advice about whey that facility isn’t enough.  

Jeannine Lisitiski is Executive Director of Women Against Abuse, which operates the only emergency shelter for abused women and children.  She testified the shelter is overwhelmed.

“The Women Against Abuse shelter was forced to turn away an all time high of 7,705 requests for safe shelter in the past fiscal year due to the 100 bed shelter being filled to capacity,” said Lisitiski.

Lisitiski says domestic violence affects one in four women.

Marsha Cohen of the Homeless Advocacy Project followed up saying many families of abuse victims have a difficult time finding shelter.

“This fall we had one family of six who waited more than five weeks for shelter placement.  The children slept at different family members houses and the parents slept in their car,” said Cohen.

A resolution has been approved in council for a full public hearing on the matter.