Housing for Hope

By Kristen Bair/Rise Above Violence
When it comes to housing, some of us have it. Many do not.

Among those struggling most are victims of domestic violence. Domestic violence is a pattern of abusive and coercive behavior used by one partner to gain and maintain power over another. In rural communities like Pagosa Springs, 1 in 3 women and 1 in 7 men are affected by domestic violence every day; 80 percent also have children (U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2021).

With housing prices at an all-time high, housing insecurity is a challenge for many. But for someone trying to leave an abusive relationship, it can be an insurmountable barrier. That doesn’t stop the need.

At Rise Above Violence, we view housing as a basic human right, like clean water and fresh air.
So, why don’t victims just leave?
Because most can’t. Ninety-nine percent of survivors experience economic abuse, where access to money, employment or basic resources is restricted as a means of control (NNEDV, 2021). When someone controls your resources, they can control your day to day living — and your ability to escape.
Domestic violence isn’t a “family dispute.” It’s actually a deadly crime — one that’s often more brutal than stranger-on-stranger assaults. Without intervention, the violence will only get worse and continue into the next generation. It spans every community, income level and background. It can take many forms: physical, sexual, emotional, economic, reproductive and even digital.

The cost is staggering, not just for individuals, but for entire communities.
Without housing, survivors may face homelessness, increased trauma and cycles of violence. This ripple effect impacts health care, law enforcement, schools, social services and the future of our children. One study by the Urban Institute found that providing supportive housing is actually less expensive than emergency services and crisis interventions.
The cost to our youth may be the highest. According to the BDVC, children exposed to domestic violence struggle more in school, relationships and the workforce. The long-term effects touch every corner of a community — including our home, Pagosa Springs.

How can you help?
We are looking for unlived spaces, basement studios, mother-in-law suites, campers and short-term rentals. If you have one of these, you have the power to change a life. Reach out to Kristen today at 970-264-1129 ext. 7 or [email protected].