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 of $600,000 was 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, Stalking, or Sexual Assault program (CFDA 16.736). The grant recipient, Saheli, a minority-owned non-profit organization in Austin, Texas, will use the funding to provide 8 scattered-site transitional housing units and comprehensive support services for a minimum of 6 months and up to 24 months for survivors of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking who are homeless or in need of housing assistance. The services will focus on helping clients secure permanent housing, achieve economic self-sufficiency, and successfully reintegrate into the community through a holistic, survivor-centered approach, including case management, safety planning, career counseling, and other support. This 3-year project period runs from October 1, 2024 to September 30, 2027.

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 saheli is a non-profit organization located in austin, TX, an urban region of the state. The organization will provide 8 scattered site residences for 8 survivors and their families through private landlord housing units. The saheli will collaborate with its 1 partner, bigaustin 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: expand economic justice and primarily serve underserved immigrant 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, 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 not hireadditional staff members to implement the program. Follow-up services will be provided for at least 3 months once permanent housing is secured.