The transitional housing assistance grants for victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking program (transitional housing program, authorized by 34 U.S.C. 12351), has as…

The Office on Violence Against Women awarded $500,000 to Latinas Unidas POR Un Nuevo Amanecer (L.U.N.A.) on October 1, 2025, under the Transitional Housing Assistance Grants for Victims of Domestic Violence, Dating Violence, Sexual Assault, and Stalking Program (CFDA 16.736).

L.U.N.A. will deliver the "Mi Hogar Program," providing victim-centered transitional housing and comprehensive support services to survivors of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking who are homeless or in need of housing assistance. The program operates ten scattered-site transitional housing residences in Des Moines, Iowa, serving up to ten survivors and their families for a minimum of six months and a maximum of 24 months. Services include rental and utility assistance, case management, safety planning, career counseling, job training, and legal aid, with offerings tailored to address the needs of underserved populations in the region.

L.U.N.A. collaborates with the Iowa Coalition Against Domestic Violence and the Evelyn K. Davis Center for Working Families at Des Moines Area Community College. The award is a continuation project with a period of performance through September 30, 2028. Place of performance is Des Moines, Iowa.

The transitional housing assistance grants for victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking program (transitional housing program, authorized by 34 U.S.C. 12351), has as its primary purpose the provision of transitional housing and support services to aid minors, adults, and their dependents who are homeless (as defined in 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. The program is intended to provide assistance to victims for whom emergency shelter services or other crisis intervention services are unavailable or insufficient. The program supports victim-centered approaches to providing transitional housing, short-term housing assistance, and voluntary support services to assist with locating and securing permanent housing, obtaining employment, and integrating into a community. Latinas unidas POR UN nuevo amancer (L.U.N.A.), a non-profit organization located in DES moines, IA, will implement the "MI hogar program through the provision of victim-centered approaches to transitional housing needs, in collaboration with iowa coalition against domestic violence and evelyn k. Davis center for working families at DES moines area community college. The project will provide ten private landlord, scattered site transitional housing residences for ten survivors and their families in an urban region of iowa. 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 populations in the region and will be tailored to address the needs of victims who are served. The range of optional support services includes rental and utility assistance, case management, safety planning, transportation, financial and employment counseling, support groups, individual counseling, legal advocacy, and housing advocacy. The project will retain one dedicated staff member to implement the program and provide follow-up services for at least 3 months once permanent housing is secured.