Domestic violence is a major cause of homelessness among women. Women and their children have become an increasing percentage of the homeless population in recent years. According to a National Low Income Housing Coalition report, 92% of homeless women have experienced severe physical or sexual assault at some point in their lifetime.

A large percentage of women who are victims of physical and sexual violence are forced to stay with or return to their abusive partners because of a lack of shelter or affordable housing. Most domestic violence crisis shelters have a maximum stay of 30 to 45 days. For many women and their children, this period is too short to allow for adequate stabilization and to find new housing. For some women, their history of abuse has also led to erratic employment, credit or rental histories, making the search for permanent housing even more difficult. That was the impetus behind Sojourn’s developing a second-stage shelter, Adams House, in 2001, which provides supportive services in a congregate setting for 3-6 months.