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 $500,000 Transitional Housing Assistance Grant (CFDA 16.736) to the Young Women's Christian Association (YWCA) of St. Joseph, Missouri. The grant will enable the YWCA to provide 20 clustered site transitional housing units for up to 50 survivors of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking, along with comprehensive support services such as rental and utility assistance, case management, counseling, childcare, workforce development, and housing advocacy. The project will assist these individuals and their families for a minimum of 6 months and a maximum of 24 months, with the goal of helping them secure permanent housing and achieve economic self-sufficiency. As a sub-recipient, the YWCA has also partnered with the Missouri Department of Social Services to administer additional grant funding for domestic violence shelter services, sexual assault services, and other victims assistance programs.

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 ywca ST. Joseph is a non-profit organization located in ST. Joseph, missouri, an urban region of the state. The organization will provide 20 clustered site residences for 50 survivors and their families through program-owned housing units. The ywca ST. Joseph will collaborate with its partner, the catholic charities of kansas city ST. Joseph, 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, childcare, weekly day labor program, support groups, individual counseling, workforce development and housing advocacy. The project will also hire 1 additional staff member to implement the program and provide follow-up services for at least 3-12 months once permanent housing is secured.