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 $550,000 Transitional Housing Assistance Grant (CFDA 16.736) to the YWCA Knoxville and the Tennessee Valley, a non-profit organization. This three-year project grant, effective from October 1, 2024 to September 30, 2027, will provide scattered-site transitional housing and comprehensive support services for up to 5 survivors of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking in the Knoxville, Tennessee region. The YWCA Knoxville will collaborate with local partners Centro Hispano de East Tennessee, Bridge Refugee Services, and Bryant's Bridge to deliver a holistic, victim-centered approach that focuses on serving underserved populations, including Latinx, refugee/immigrant, LGBTQ+, deaf/hard of hearing, and limited English proficiency individuals. The range of support services offered includes rental and utility assistance, case management, safety planning, childcare, transportation, career counseling, financial counseling, support groups, and job training, with follow-up services for up to 12 months after permanent housing is secured.

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. The ywca knoxville is a non-profit organization located in knoxville, TN, a rural region of the state. The organization will provide scattered site residences for 5 survivors and their families through scattered site housing units. The ywca knoxville will collaborate with its partner(s), centro hispano DE east tennessee, bridge refugee services, and bryants bridge 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 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 primarily serving underserved latinx, refugee/immigrant, and lgbtq+ populations and individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing, and persons with limited english proficiency populations in the region. 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, and job training. Ywca knoxville will provide follow-up services for up to 12 months once permanent housing is secured.