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 Office on Violence Against Women has 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 Proyecto Matria, Inc., doing business as Proyecto Matria Servicios, a non-profit organization in Caguas, Puerto Rico.

This 3-year grant will enable Proyecto Matria to provide 15 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. Services will include rental and utility assistance, case management, safety planning, counseling, childcare, transportation, career and financial counseling, job training, legal aid, and housing advocacy. Proyecto Matria will collaborate with 6 local partners to deliver this holistic, victim-centered approach and serve underrepresented populations in the region.

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. Proyecto matria is a non-profit organization located in caguas, puerto rico, a rural region of the territory. The organization will provide 15 scattered site residences for 15 survivors and their families through private landlord housing units. Proyecto matria will collaborate with its 6 partners, the casa protegida julia DE burgos, the casa DE LA bondad, the casa juana colon, the casa pensamiento DE mujer DEL centro, hogar ruth and alianza municipal DE servicios integrados 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 advancing racial equity, expanding economic justice, as well as meeting the needs of the underserved hispanic, lgbtq+, immigrant, deaf, disabled 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, 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 6 months once permanent housing is secured.