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Housing

Issue Overview

The interrelated nature of domestic violence and homelessness is undeniable: 92% of homeless women have experienced severe physical or sexual abuse at some point in their lives, and 63% have been victims of intimate partner violence as adults.^[i]

This is not because homeless women are more likely to be victims of domestic violence, rather experiencing domestic violence or sexual assault often forces women and children into homelessness. In 2006, a report by the U.S. Conference of Mayors found that 44 percent of the cities surveyed identified domestic violence as the primary cause of homelessness.^[ii]

Victims of domestic violence struggle to find permanent housing after fleeing abusive relationships.  Many have left in the middle of the night with nothing but the clothes on their backs, and now must entirely rebuild their lives.  As long-term housing options become scarcer, victims are staying longer in emergency domestic violence shelters.  As a result, shelters are frequently full and must turn families away.

NNEDV works with national housing and homeless organizations to ensure that the housing needs of victims of domestic violence are being met not only through domestic violence legislation but also through federal housing legislation such as the McKinney-Vento Homelessness Assistance Act.

Legislative Action

McKinney-Vento and HEARTH

The McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act is the primary federal funding for homelessness services across the nation.  McKinney-Vento funds also support domestic violence programs that provide transitional housing and emergency shelter to victims.  According to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) in 2005, 663 projects that identified domestic violence victims as the primary population to be served were awarded nearly $118 million to provide housing and services for this vulnerable group.  An additional 2,934 projects anticipated providing housing and services to victims of domestic violence, even though this group was not the primary population for the projects.

HMIS and Confidentiality

Victim confidentiality is essential to maintain victim safety.  NNEDV works with policymakers to ensure that local domestic violence service providers do not have to provide identifying information on victims to HUD's Homelessness Management Information System (HMIS) and other third-party databases.

• Learn more about HMIS and confidentiality for victims.

VAWA Housing Programs

The Violence Against Women Act of 2005 (VAWA) included important programs to help meet the housing needs of victims of domestic violence.  Many victims fleeing violence need safe, affordable housing after leaving shelter; otherwise, they may be forced to return to their abuser or live on the streets.  The Transitional Housing program supports critical interim housing programs that help victims and their families rebuild their lives after escaping abuse.  In addition, the Long Term Stability/Housing for Victims program, once funded, would leverage existing resources to help connect victims and their families with affordable housing options in their communities.

In order to keep victims safe and prevent future violence, Congress must fund these VAWA Housing programs in the FY 2012 budget.

[i] Browne, A. 1998. "Responding to the Needs of Low Income and Homeless Women Who are Survivors of Family Violence." Journal of American Medical Women's Association. 53(2): 57-64.

[ii] The United States Conference of Mayors. 1999. A Status Report on Hunger and Homelessness in America's Cities, p.39.