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 Wellspring Alliance for Families, Inc., a non-profit organization in Monroe, Louisiana, has been awarded a $649,751 Transitional Housing Assistance Grant from the U.S. Department of Justice's Office on Violence Against Women. This 3-year Project Grant, which runs from October 1, 2023 to September 30, 2026, will enable The Wellspring to provide 6-24 months of transitional housing and comprehensive support services for 26 survivors of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking who are homeless or in need of housing assistance.

The Wellspring will collaborate with 6 partner organizations to deliver a holistic, victim-centered approach that includes rental and utility assistance, case management, safety planning, employment counseling, financial empowerment training, legal services, and housing advocacy. The goal is to help these individuals and their families secure permanent housing, achieve economic self-sufficiency, and integrate into their communities.

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 wellspring alliance for families, INC. Is a non-profit organization located in monroe, louisiana, a rural region of the state. The organization will provide scattered site residences for 26 survivors and their families through private landlord housing units. The wellspring alliance for families, INC. Will collaborate with its 6 partner(S), the franklin parish sheriffs office, morehouse parish sheriffs office, workforce development board SDA 83, INC., franklin state bank, nela housing & supportive services corp, and united way of northeast louisiana 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. Services offered will focus on expanding economic justice, as well as meeting the needs of the underserved rural populations in the region. 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, transportation, employment counseling, financial empowerment training, bankon/goal setting, child advocacy, support groups, individual counseling, job training, education attainment, legal services, legal advocacy and housing advocacy. No additional staff will be hired to implement the project. Follow-up services will be provided for at least 3-6 months once permanent housing is secured.