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 has awarded a $500,000 Project Grant under the Transitional Housing Assistance Grants for Victims of Domestic Violence, Dating Violence, Sexual Assault, and Stalking Program (CFDA 16.736) to Family & Community Services, Inc. (FCS) in Ravenna, Ohio. The grant will enable FCS to provide 17 communal site residences for 25 survivors of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking who are homeless or in need of housing assistance. FCS will collaborate with the Portage Metropolitan Housing Authority to deliver a holistic, victim-centered approach that includes rental and utility assistance, case management, safety planning, childcare, transportation, career and financial counseling, job training, education attainment, and housing advocacy. The project will assist clients for 6-24 months with the goal of moving them into permanent housing and helping them secure employment and integrate into the community. The grant period runs from October 1, 2023 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. The family & community services, INC. Is a non-profit organization located in ravenna, ohio, a rural region of the state. The organization will provide 17 communal site residences for 25 survivors and their families through private landlord housing units. The family & community services, INC. Will collaborate with its partner, the portage metropolitan housing authority, 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 6-9 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, transportation, career counseling, financial and credit counseling, support groups, individual counseling, job training, education attainment, and housing advocacy. The project will also hire 3 additional staff members to implement the program and provide follow-up services for at least 12 months once permanent housing is secured.