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 Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma received a $550,000 Project Grant from the U.S. Department of Justice's Office on Violence Against Women under the Transitional Housing Assistance Grants for Victims of Domestic Violence, Dating Violence, Sexual Assault, and Stalking Program (CFDA 16.736). The funding will support 30 scattered-site transitional housing units and comprehensive support services for survivors of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking who are homeless or in need of housing assistance in the rural Oklahoma region. The Choctaw Nation will collaborate with 5 partner organizations to provide a holistic, victim-centered approach, including services such as rental and utility assistance, case management, safety planning, counseling, childcare, transportation, career and financial counseling, job training, legal aid, and housing advocacy. The 3-year project 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 choctaw nation of oklahoma is an indian tribe located in durant, oklahoma, a rural region of the state. The organization will provide 30 scattered site residences for 30 survivors and their families through private landlord housing units. The choctaw nation of oklahoma will collaborate with its 5 partners, the crisis control center, SOS for families, the KI bois womens shelter, the care program and the womens services of leflore county 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 meeting the needs of the underserved native american and 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, childcare, transportation, career counseling, traditional and cultural gatherings, support groups, individual counseling, job training, education attainment, legal assistance, victim and housing advocacy. The project will also hire an additional staff member to implement the program and provide follow-up services for at least 3 months once permanent housing is secured.