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 Department of Justice's Office on Violence Against Women awarded a $466,495 Project Grant under the Transitional Housing Assistance Grants for Victims of Domestic Violence, Dating Violence, Sexual Assault, and Stalking Program (CFDA 16.736) to Karidat Social Services, a non-profit organization located in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI). This 3-year continuation project will provide scattered-site transitional housing and comprehensive support services to 20 survivors of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking who are homeless or in need of housing assistance. Services will focus on helping survivors secure permanent housing, achieve economic self-sufficiency, and reintegrate into their communities through assistance such as rent/utility payments, case management, safety planning, childcare, transportation, career/financial counseling, job training, legal aid, and housing advocacy. Karidat Social Services will collaborate with local partners like the Commonwealth Women's Association and Micronesian Legal Services Corporation to deliver this victim-centered, trauma-informed programming. The grant period begins on October 1, 2023 and runs through September 30, 2026.

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. Karidat services is a non-profit organization located in the U.S. Territory, saipan, MP. The organization will provide scattered site residences for 20 survivors and their families through private landlord housing units. Karidat services will collaborate with its partners, the commonwealth womens association, green meadow school (pure love daycare), and micronesian legal services corporation to provide a holistic, victim-centered, 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 6 and a maximum length of 24 months. Services offered will focus on the priority areas to expand economic justice, and primarily serve underserved populations (lgbtq+, and persons with limited english proficiency) populations in the region. Grant activities will be tailored to meet the needs of the survivors. The range of optional support services includes rent and utility assistance, case management, safety planning, childcare, transportation, career counseling, financial and credit counseling, support groups, job training, legal assistance, and housing advocacy. Follow-up services will be provided for a minimum of 3 months once permanent housing is secured.