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 $550,000 Project Grant under the Transitional Housing Assistance Grants for Victims of Domestic Violence, Dating Violence, Sexual Assault, and Stalking Program (CFDA 16.736) to La Casa, Inc., a nonprofit organization in Las Cruces, New Mexico. The grant will fund the provision of 11 scattered-site transitional housing units and comprehensive support services for up to 40 survivors of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking, and their families, for 6-24 months. Services will include rental and utility assistance, case management, safety planning, counseling, career development, job training, legal aid, and housing advocacy. La Casa, Inc. will collaborate with the New Mexico Coalition to End Homelessness to deliver this holistic, victim-centered program in a rural region of the state, with a focus on supporting underserved populations such as migrant farmworkers. The grant period runs from October 1, 2023 to 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. The LA casa, INC., is a non-profit organization located in LAS cruces, new mexico, a rural region of the state. The organization will provide 11 scattered site residences for 40 survivors and their families through private landlord housing units. The LA casa, INC., will collaborate with its 1 partner, the new mexico coalition to end homelessness 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 meeting the needs of the underserved migrant farmworkers and other survivors who face language or disability barriers associated with accessing services. 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, career counseling, support groups, individual counseling, job training, legal assistance, and housing advocacy. The project will also hire 2 additional staff members to implement the program and provide follow-up services for at least 3 months once permanent housing is secured.