The transitional housing assistance grants for victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking program (transitional housing program) is authorized by 34 U.S.C. 12351

The U.S. Department of Justice's Office on Violence Against Women awarded a $650,000 Project Grant under the Transitional Housing Assistance Grants for Victims of Domestic Violence, Dating Violence, Sexual Assault, and Stalking Program (CFDA 16.736) to the Women's Center Inc., a non-profit organization in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho. The grant will fund the organization's provision of 6-24 months of transitional housing and comprehensive support services for survivors of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking who are homeless or in need of housing assistance. The services include rental and utility assistance, case management, safety planning, counseling, transportation, career and financial counseling, job training, and housing advocacy to help survivors secure permanent housing and achieve economic self-sufficiency. The Women's Center Inc. will collaborate with the Center for New Directions at North Idaho College to implement this holistic, victim-centered approach.

The primary purpose of the transitional housing program is to provide aid to victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking who are homeless, as defined by 34 U.S.C. 12473(6), or in need of transitional housing or other housing assistance, as a result of their victimization, and for whom emergency shelter services or other crisis intervention services are unavailable or insufficient. The program supports holistic, survivor-centered approaches to providing transitional housing and support services that move individuals into permanent housing and help them secure employment and integrate into a community. The womens center INC is a non-profit organization located in coeur dalene, idaho, an urban region of the state. The organization will provide 4 scattered site residences for 4 survivors and their families through program-rented/private landlord housing units. The womens center INC will collaborate with its 1 partner, the center for new directions at north idaho college, to provide a holistic, victim-centered, and multidisciplinary approach to transitional housing needs in the community. This new project will use funds to provide both housing and supportive services to move survivors of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking who are homeless or in need of housing assistance to permanent housing. The project will assist clients for an anticipated minimum of 6 months and a maximum length of 24 months. Services offered will focus on expanding economic justice. The grant activities will be tailored to meet the needs of the survivors. The range of optional support services includes: rental and utility assistance, case management, safety planning, court advocacy, mental health counseling, transportation assistance, work force development, career services, job training, educational support and housing advocacy. The project will also hire 1 additional staff member to implement the program and provide follow-up services for at least 3 months once permanent housing is secured.