Domestic Violence & Homelessness

This paper provides a historical context of domestic violence and homelessness and outlines how housing/homeless and domestic violence movements have and continue to intersect.

This website provides resources and contact information for shelters and other DV resources.

Discusses the McKinney-Vento legislation including who is covered under the act and how it affects homeless children.

The importance of collaborative, sustained and multidisciplinary efforts is emphasized. The initial section of the article covers a research review of the intersection of poverty, welfare, domestic violence and housing issues.

Drawn from interviews with more than 3,000 homeless adults and youth throughout Minnesota, this research describes some of the causes, effects and circumstances surrounding homelessness.

Shelter supervisors and staff were also interviewed as to their perception of the needs of the shelter residents. Information about the women such as age, residence, education, health, criminal records, public benefits, children and repeated homelessness are detailed in the report. Additionally, factors contributing to the women's homelessness, and recommendations are also provided.

This video shows how one program in Washington State is developing community relationships and expanding services to address the unique needs of survivors who are facing homelessness and housing instability.

Describes the design, implementation and results of a case study conducted in 1997 of Iowa's domestic violence programs. The goals of the study were to describe the housing services currently provided to battered women by domestic violence programs, and identify barriers battered women face in securing affordable housing. The collaborative project received support from the University of Iowa - School of Social Work, the Iowa Coalition Against Domestic Violence, and the National Resource Center on Domestic Violence. A copy of the survey instrument is included in the Appendix.

Highlights how eight domestic violence organizations are responding to the housing needs of battered women in their communities. Projects highlighted are: Elizabeth Stone House in Massachusetts; Stop Abusive Family Environments (SAFE) in West Virginia; Middle Way House, Inc. in Indiana; Maine Coalition to End Domestic Violence; Women Opting for More Affordable Housing Now, Inc.(WOMAN, Inc.) in Texas; Project Link in Pennsylvania; Boulder County Safe House in Colorado; and, Family Unification Program in Iowa.

This fact sheet describes changes to the VAWA Act and lays out new provisions in the Act.

This Q&A fact sheet gives information about VAWA of 2005 and how it can help survivors of domestic violence.

This fact sheet lays out the problems DV survivors face and how Housing laws including VAWA can help and protect them.This guide discusses survivors' rights in reference to housing. It includes rules and regulations passed to protect victims of domestic violence.

This document explains the intersection of domestic violence and homelessness and briefly summarizes the housing-related provisions of VAWA2005. A more detailed companion document is referenced herein, under ïOne Strike.Í

Increasing affordable housing, ensuring adequate wages and income supports, and providing necessary supportive services are emphasized.

The factsheet includes general statistics about homelessness, domestic violence and poverty, and the consequences of being trapped between violence and homelessness. A critique of current state laws and recommendations for legislative advocacy to protect the homes of battered women are offered.

This fact sheet gives examples of discriminatory actions that may be illegal, provides a broad overview of applicable federal and state laws, and outlines actions steps for those believing that they have been discriminated against. Both survivors and advocates can use this guide as a brief and clear manual regarding housing.

This fact sheet provides current information, charts and statistics on rural housing, people with disabilities and immigrant families.

Available from: Contact NRCDV at 800-537-2238.

Stats include statements on the housing crisis, the rise of rental costs, the necessity of assistance, and discrimination suffered by the poorest.

This fact sheet describes the Housing Choice Voucher Program, why and how it is effective and the different situations of individuals who access this program. Statistics are given which support the effectiveness of the voucher program.

This is an essential tool for domestic violence advocates involved with individual and systemic housing advocacy. The chapter supports local public housing authority preferences for victims of domestic violence, including outlining relevant federal law and regulations. The chapter includes types of evidence of abuse (which is broad), mitigating "negative" rental histories due to domestic violence and sensitivity regarding confidential information. Supportive transfer policies as alternatives to eviction are strongly encouraged.

This paper contains information on the importance of housing stability for survivors of domestic violence, and lays the foundation for establishing effective systems to address housing and homeless issues.

he initial section of the article provides a useful review of previous research on the topic as well as the need to broaden research in this area to address housing-related problems such as paying bills and late rent, selling belongings or eating less to pay rent, being turned away from renting, or threats of eviction. This study may be helpful to advocates looking for research that studies the importance of system-level and contextual responses for battered women.

The hearings involved more than 125 people, with 40% of these identifying as survivors of domestic violence. Advocates will find this report of use for its description of the process followed in terms of the hearings, as well as for the findings and recommendations across economic-related topics such as employment and workplace, emergency cash, finances and credit, child care, education and training and welfare. A specific chapter addresses the housing needs of survivors and offers recommended actions for housing providers, public housing authorities and public and private funders.

This resources addresses: homeownership and access to capital, battered women, housing discrimination, minority women, housing and community design, displaced homemakers, rural women, homeless women, older women, welfare reform, public housing, housing for women with disabilities and service enriched housing.

The research findings, based upon three focus groups of female residents from the various housing types, describe women's housing needs specifically and broadly from location to the effect of utility costs with less modern housing.

This Q&A document explains the key housing provisions of VAWA 2005, including housing-related grant programs, amendments to public housing and section 8 regarding eviction defense, eligibility, and portability, HMIS changes, and new planning requirements.

This piece addresses common confidentiality questions about several U.S. federal laws that may impact survivors. It highlights key confidentiality and privacy provisions in the 2013 reauthorization of the Violence Against Women and Department of Justice Reauthorization Act and the 2010 reauthorization of the Family Violent Prevention Services Act.

These papers address ways in which recourses can be used to help children and families affected by domestic violence.

The first part of this report analyzes housing problems in comparison to food insecurity and lack of health insurance, for the purpose of raising awareness as to the enormity of the housing crisis (while emphasizing that the report should not be read to minimize the seriousness of the problems of food insecurity and lack of health care). The second part of the report reviews housing problems in more depth and is an excellent resource for talking point references regarding housing.

Advocates can get state and local information on rental costs in comparison to income.

The report reveals the extreme housing affordability crisis for those people living on an SSI income. A state-by-state executive analysis shows the percent of SSI Benefits needed to rent a one-bedroom apartment as well as the housing market areas that require more than 100% of monthly SSI benefits. Local information is contained in the appendix. Policy recommendations round out this easy to read and digest report focusing on the disabled population and housing affordability.