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 Women's Center of Beaver County was awarded a $594,500 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). The three-year grant, effective from October 1, 2024 to September 30, 2027, will enable the organization to provide 35 scattered-site transitional housing units and comprehensive support services for survivors of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking in the mixed suburban and rural Beaver, PA region. The holistic, victim-centered program will focus on underserved populations, including communities of color, people with disabilities, older adults, and LGBTQ individuals. Services will include rental and utility assistance, case management, safety planning, career counseling, job training, and housing advocacy, delivered in collaboration with the Beaver County Rehabilitation Center.

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. Womens center of beaver county, a non-profit organization located in beaver, PA, a mixed suburban and rural area region of the state. The organization will provide 35 scattered site residences for 35 survivors and their families through private landlord housing units. Womens center of beaver county will collaborate with its 1 partner, beaver county rehabilitation center (bcrc) 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. Services offered will focus on: expand economic justice and primarily serve underserved (communities of color, people with disabilities, older adults, individuals with limited english proficiency, individuals who are deaf/hearing impaired, and lgbtq individuals.) 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, financial and credit counseling, support groups, individual counseling, job training, education attainment, and housing advocacy. The project will also hire 3 additional staff members to implement the program and provide follow-up services for at least 3 months once permanent housing is secured.