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 Mountain Comprehensive Care Center, Inc., a non-profit organization in Prestonsburg, Kentucky, has been awarded a $500,000 Project Grant under the U.S. Department of Justice's Office on Violence Against Women's Transitional Housing Assistance Grants for Victims of Domestic Violence, Dating Violence, Sexual Assault, and Stalking Program (CFDA 16.736). This 3-year grant, effective October 1, 2023, will enable the Center to provide 20 scattered-site transitional housing units 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 project will collaborate with 14 local partners to deliver a holistic, victim-centered approach, including rental and utility assistance, case management, safety planning, counseling, transportation, career and financial counseling, job training, legal aid, and housing advocacy. The goal is to help clients secure permanent housing, achieve economic self-sufficiency, and integrate into their communities over a transitional housing period of 6-24 months.

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 mountain comprehensive care center, INC., is a non-profit organization located in prestonsburg, kentucky, a rural region of the state. The organization will provide 20 scattered site residences for 20 survivors and their families through private landlord housing units. The mountain comprehensive care center, INC., will collaborate with its 14 partners, the turning point domestic violence services; appalachian research and defense fund of kentucky; eastern KY concentrated employment program; big sandy area community action program; big sandy area development district; sandy valley transportation services; big sandy health care; housing authority of paintsville; housing authority of pikeville; prestonsburg housing authority; floyd county sheriffs office; johnson county sheriffs office; magoffin county sheriffs office; pike county sheriffs office to provide a holistic, victim-centered and multidisciplinary approach to transitional housing needs in the community. This continuation 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. 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, medical and legal advocacy, transportation, career counseling, financial and credit counseling, support groups, individual counseling, job training, education attainment, and housing advocacy. The project will also hire 0 additional staff members to implement the program and provide follow-up services for at least 3 months once permanent housing is secured.