Distance as a determinant: A spatial analysis of crisis and second-stage housing for survivors of domestic violence in Ontario

Can J Public Health. 2026 Jul 24. doi: 10.17269/s41997-026-01234-6. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

This study presents the first province-wide spatial analysis of shelter accessibility for survivors of domestic violence in Ontario, Canada. Using travel time calculations from dissemination area (DA) centroids to the nearest crisis and second-stage shelters, we quantify geographic disparities in access across urban, suburban, rural, and remote communities. Shelter data were compiled from ShelterSafe and public databases, and rurality was classified using Statistics Canada’s Index of Remoteness. Results reveal stark gradients in accessibility: average travel time to second-stage housing in remote areas exceeds 247 min, compared to 26.6 min in urban centres. Crisis shelters, while more numerous per capita, remain significantly less accessible in rural regions. Regression models indicate that shelter type, remoteness, and service features (i.e., pet accommodation, childcare, accessibility) predict travel time, with second-stage shelters and those offering more service options often situated farther away. These findings underscore how structural and spatial inequities shape survivors’ ability to seek safety and support. Policy recommendations include revising housing eligibility timelines, investing in rural second-stage infrastructure, and using geospatial tools to identify service deserts.

PMID:42496821 | DOI:10.17269/s41997-026-01234-6