"Imagine working more than 100 hours every week just to meet your family's basic needs," the Arlington Community Foundation wrote. "As you'll see in our new 2026 living wages video, for thousands of Arlington's essential workers, this doesn't take much imagination. Even a single adult without children would need to work more than 68 hours per week at these wages to afford the basics here."

"And wages are only part of the equation," the Foundation reported. "The shortage of deeply affordable housing, the extraordinary cost of childcare, and too few pathways to full-time jobs with living wages and benefits all make it harder for Arlington's lowest-income residents to remain here."

The Impact of Intimate Partner Violence on Survivors' Economic Security Compounds the Challenges Faced in Our Community

For survivors in our community, low wages, lack of affordable housing, and the high cost of childcare — in fact, Arlington is the most expensive county in the nation for childcare — are compounded by the impacts of abuse on their education, careers, credit, and more.

This national survey from the Institute for Women's Policy Research (IWPR) "reveals how the economic dimensions of abuse permeate survivors' lives, creating a complex set of needs that make it difficult to exit abusive relationships and move forward in recovery.

73% of respondents said they had stayed with an abusive partner longer than they wanted or returned to them for economic reasons.

Many of those surveyed, however, expressed optimism that with the right resources, they will flourish and thrive."

Of the respondents to the IWPR survey:

• 66% percent said an abusive partner had disrupted their ability to complete education or training.
• 83% reported that their abusive partners disrupted their ability to work. 
• 59% said they had an abusive partner who harmed their credit score in one or ways, such as not paying bills or paying them late, taking out more credit, maintaining high credit card balances, or defaulting on a loan. Among those who reported having their credit score harmed, 63% said it prevented them from getting housing, and 21% said it prevented them from getting a job.

How Doorways Helps Survivors Navigate these Challenges and Opportunities

Statistics like this show how critical Doorways' comprehensive services are to the survivors we serve. Beyond brick-and-mortar shelter and supportive housing, our wraparound services help our clients:

• Regain control of their finances after financial abuse;
• Navigate debt, credit, and other challenges, as well as benefits and subsidies available to support their family;
• Access education, training, and certification needed to secure higher-paying jobs;
• Secure year-round childcare, including before and after-school care and summer camps;
• Secure housing that is sustainably affordable;
• And more! Our goal is to support each individual on their unique journey, helping them achieve their goals toward safety and stability.

Help ensure every child in our shelter and housing programs will have what they need to start their next school year off right. Become a back-to-school sponsor today!

Sponsors provide each child with the essentials:

• a new high-quality backpack
• lunch box
• water bottle
• umbrella
• $100 VISA gift card for clothes and grade-specific supplies

Learn more and sign up through our Sponsor Form!

​​​​​​Every year, Arlington County creates a legislative package that outlines the County’s priorities and positions for the Virginia General Assembly Session. The 2027 General Assembly session begins on January 13, 2027 and is scheduled to adjourn in early March. It is the 45-day “short” session. Beginning in January, the General Assembly will consider a myriad of issues and will include the creation of a new two-year budget for the Commonwealth.

Share Your Feedback By July 31st

​​​​​​The form should take about 3 to 5 minutes to complete. Feedback will be reviewed and shared with the County Board for consideration.

​​​​​​Please note that responses submitted through this form may be subject to release under the Virginia Freedom of Information Act.

If you have questions, contact the County Board Office at 703-228-3130 or [email protected].

Sponsor Open Hearts, Open Doors at The Falls

Help safeguard Doorways' promise of safe harbor, healing, and hope for all survivors of intimate partner violence. Learn more about sponsor levels and benefits, and purchase your sponsorship today!