Homelessness as a state
The relational approach adopted by La rue des Femmes is fundamentally based on the recognition of homelessness as a state of being.
Homelessness is not a temporary condition. It is a state of chronic, complex, post-traumatic stress resulting from events such as:
- Traumatic shock (war, major accident); or
- Developmental trauma (abuse or maltreatment suffered, most commonly, in childhood)
Women and men find themselves living in a state of homelessness because they have lost their relational health, which is the vital capacity to connect with oneself and others.
At La rue des Femmes, we understand that healing the deep relational wounds, restoring the relational health, and rebuilding the lives of the homeless requires much more than just shelter: it requires socio-emotional, psychological and health care.