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 $500,000 Transitional Housing Assistance Grant (CFDA 16.736) to Friendship Of Women Inc., a domestic shelter and non-profit organization in Brownsville, Texas. This 3-year project grant will enable Friendship Of Women Inc. to provide 8 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.

The grant-funded services include rental and utility assistance, case management, safety planning, counseling, career and financial counseling, job training, education attainment, and housing advocacy. Friendship Of Women Inc. will collaborate with the Housing Authority of the City of Brownsville to deliver this holistic, victim-centered approach. The project aims to help participants secure permanent housing and achieve economic self-sufficiency within an anticipated 6-24 month timeframe.

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 friendship of women is a non-profit organization located in brownsville, texas, a rural region of the state. The organization will provide 8 scattered site residences for 8 survivors and their families through private landlord housing units. The friendship of women will collaborate with its 1 partner, the housing authority of the city of brownsville 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. 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, transportation, career counseling, support groups, individual counseling, job training, education attainment, 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.