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 Project Grant award, provided by 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), will enable Congreso De Latinos Unidos, Inc., a non-profit organization in Philadelphia, PA, to deliver a comprehensive transitional housing and support services program for 45 survivors of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking. The $500,000 award, with an effective date of October 1, 2024, and an ultimate completion date of September 30, 2027, will fund rental and utility assistance, case management, safety planning, career counseling, and other services to help these survivors secure permanent housing, achieve economic self-sufficiency, and successfully reintegrate into their communities. Congreso will collaborate with two partner organizations, Women in Transition and Lutheran Settlement House, to provide this holistic, victim-centered approach.

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. Congreso DE latinos unidos, INC. (congreso) is a non-profit organization located in philadelphia PA , an urban region of the state. The organization will provide scattered site residences for 45 survivors and their families through private landlord housing units. Congreso DE latinos unidos, INC. (congreso) will collaborate with its 2 partners women in transition (WIT), and lutheran settlement house (LSH), 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, childcare, transportation, career counseling, financial and credit counseling, support groups, individual counseling, job training, education attainment, parenting classes, and housing advocacy. The project will also hire 1 additional staff member to implement the program and provide follow-up services for at least 12 months once permanent housing is secured.