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

This $550,000 Project Grant awarded by the U.S. Department of Justice's Office on Violence Against Women (CFDA 16.736 - Transitional Housing Assistance for Victims of Domestic Violence, Dating Violence, Stalking, or Sexual Assault) will enable Helpmate Inc., a non-profit domestic violence agency in Asheville, North Carolina, to provide 7 scattered-site transitional housing units and holistic, survivor-centered support services for a minimum of 6 months and up to 24 months. The project will serve survivors of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking who are homeless or in need of housing assistance, with a focus on underserved African American, Latino, and LGBTQ+ populations. The range of support services includes rental and utility assistance, case management, safety planning, childcare, career counseling, financial and credit counseling, job training, job placement support, legal assistance, and financial literacy education. Helpmate Inc. will collaborate with two local partner organizations, Community Action Opportunities and Thrive Asheville, to deliver this comprehensive transitional housing program.

The primary purpose of the transitional housing program is to aid minors, adults, and their dependents 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 domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking, 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 designed to enable a minor, an adult, or a dependent of such minor or adult locate and secure permanent housing, secure employment, and integrate into a community. Helpmate is a non-profit organization located in asheville, north carolina, a rural and urban region of the state. The organization will provide 7 scattered site residences for 7 survivors and their families through private landlord housing units. Helpmate will collaborate with its 2 partners, community action opportunities and thrive asheville 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/ONLY) (housing and/or 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 primarily serving underserved african american, latino, and lgbtq+ populations in the region. The grant activities will be tailored to meet the needs of survivors. The range of optional support services include rental and utility assistance, case management, safety planning, childcare, career counseling, financial and credit counseling, support groups, individual counseling, job training to include vocational certificate programs, job placement support, education attainment, limited legal assistance, financial literacy education (focused on credit repair, household budgeting and emergency savings), and housing advocacy. The project will retain 3 staff members to implement the program and provide follow-up services for at least 3 months once permanent housing is secured.