Grant Details

The OVW Transitional Housing Assistance Grants for Victims of Sexual Assault, Domestic Violence, Dating Violence, and Stalking Program (Transitional Housing Assistance Grant Program)n focuses on a holistic, victim-centered approach to providing transitional housing services that move survivors into permanent housing. Awards made under this grant program support programs that provide assistance to victims of sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence, and/or stalking who are in need of transitional housing, short-term housing assistance, and related supportive services. Successful transitional housing programs provide a wide range of flexible and optional services that reflect the differences and individual needs of victims and allow victims to choose the course of action that is best for them. Transitional housing programs may offer individualized services such as counseling, support groups, safety planning, and advocacy services as well as practical services such as licensed child care, employment services, transportation vouchers, and referrals to other agencies. Trained staff and case managers may also be available to work with survivors to help them determine and reach their goals for permanent housing.

In FY 2015, funds under the Transitional Housing Assistance Grant Program may be used for the following purposes:

• 1. Programs that provide transitional housing, including funding for the operating expenses of newly developed or existing transitional housing;
• 2. Programs that provide short-term housing assistance, including rental or utilities payment assistance and assistance with related expenses such as payment of security deposits and other costs incidental to relocation to transitional housing; and
• 3. Programs that provide support services designed to enable a minor, an adult, or a dependent of such minor or adult, who is fleeing a situation of sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence, and/or stalking to:
  • (a) locate and secure permanent housing;
  • (b) secure employment, including obtaining employment counseling, occupational training, job retention counseling, and counseling concerning re-entry in to the workforce; and
  • (c) integrate into a community by providing that minor, adult, or dependent with services, such as transportation, counseling, child care services, case management, and other assistance.

As applicants address their plans to implement one or more of the above purpose areas, they are encouraged to consider the following:

• 1. Creating innovative partnerships that improve the overall value and effectiveness of transitional housing by bringing together victim service providers, housing and homelessness organizations, and underserved population specific organizations to provide a broad spectrum of support services that promote self-sufficiency for survivors of sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence, or stalking, such as mentoring, job training, childcare, and literacy education;
• 2. Designing projects that promote economic independence and financial empowerment strategies for survivors;
• 3. Implementing partnerships that assist survivors in obtaining employment that will enable survivors to afford basic expenses and remain economically independent including non-traditional employment opportunities for women;
• 4. Developing innovative programs to provide transitional housing and supportive services to older survivors of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking who are age 50 or older by addressing the unique barriers to receiving assistance that these survivors face;
• 5. Addressing the complex needs of survivors with disabilities by providing transitional housing assistance that will enhance the accessibility of services, resources, communication, and outreach to survivors with disabilities;
• 6. Providing transitional housing in rural jurisdictions while addressing the lack of available resources in those jurisdictions, social and cultural challenges, and geographic isolation; or
• 7. Developing an innovative approach to improve transitional housing program accessibility and culturally sensitive services to immigrants while addressing barriers that immigrants.
• 8. Experience such as the lack of knowledge about resources, language barriers, and issues surrounding immigration.