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 Denton County Friends of the Family, a non-profit organization in Denton, Texas, was awarded a $500,000 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). This 3-year grant, effective October 1, 2023, will enable the organization to provide 15 scattered-site transitional housing units and a range of supportive services, including rental and utility assistance, case management, safety planning, counseling, and workforce training, to help survivors of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking secure permanent housing and achieve economic self-sufficiency. The organization will collaborate with its partner, the Texas Workforce Commission, to deliver this holistic, victim-centered program.

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 denton county friends of the family is a non-profit organization located in denton, texas, a rural and suburban region of the state. The organization will provide 15 scattered site residences for 15 survivors and their families through (program-owned/ private landlord) housing units. The denton county friends of the family will collaborate with its 1 partner, the texas workforce commission 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, financial literacy, credit repair, advocacy, counseling, CPS navigation, parent group, workforce training, 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.