Lady Laforet, the executive director of Windsor's Welcome Centre Shelter for Women, will be going home Friday evening after spending three days in a motel, trying to live the shelter experience as authentically as possible.
That has meant, staying a tiny room with her two children, taking the bus, eating at the shelter, trying to find a permanent home that fits within a tight budget, and trying not to get discouraged.
"With the numbers that we're seeing at motels, it's still a bit of a foreign land to us, even as a service provider," Laforet explained why she decided to pack up her children and leave home personally. "We tend to do our intake at the shelter, and then send you to a motel where a single housing worker will be meeting with you. We're not on site that much. And, should we not know more about the services we are providing?"
BlackburnNews.com will not identify the motel, as per Laforet's request. When women are staying in a motel, the location is always kept a secret to protect the client.
Staying in a shelter is stressful, said Laforet.
One of Lady Laforet's children plays on the floor of their motel room. (Photo courtesy of Lady Laforet.)
"Right off the bat, I'm going to say the isolation is more impactful than I anticipated," said Laforet. "My kids are going a little bit stir crazy. As a parent, I'm already just stressed trying to manage two kids in a tiny room who have a lot of energy and it's too cold to go outside."
There is also the challenge of transportation. Laforet detailed how it took her two buses to get her children to school, and two buses back. Getting her children ready and to the school took four hours.
"I get back to a housing appointment with the housing support worker; I'm already four hours into my day. I'm done. I'm stressed. I'm tired," she admitted. "And my day's just starting. I can't imagine doing that for 30 days, 40 days."
Laforet also knew the city had a low vacancy rate and an affordable housing crunch, but her new experience showed how low-income families are being forced out of the market.
"I just sat down to do a housing search this morning," she said. "I'm seeing listings that say everything from adult only, to listings that would be 60 per cent plus of my income, plus utilities, plus credit check, plus first and last, plus references... They're not going to meet that standard."
Lady Laforet attempted for find suitable shelter for herself and her two children on the income she would have on Ontario Works. (Photo courtesy of Lady Laforet)
As a result, women are staying longer and longer in motels while they wait for an offer from geared-to-income housing.
Unlike the women she often helps, Laforet knew her time in the shelter was limited. She returned home just before dinner time Friday.
"Honestly? Just sit my room and cry, I think for a few minutes," Laforet admitted after she was asked what she plans to do once she returns home. "Then you buck up and realize there's action that needs to happen and let's get started."
She is quick to point out the city is making headway in its fight for more affordable housing. Soon, ground will break on Meadowbrook for 150 new units.
Laforet is not sure where he experience will lead, but she plans to do it again in some capacity, and hopes the media coverage of her stay will encourage people to continue the fight for affordable housing, volunteer at Welcome Shelter Centre for Women, or donate.
"There's something that can be done by every single one of us," said Laforet.