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 Department of Justice Office on Violence Against Women awarded $500,000 to Helping Services For Youth & Families Inc. on October 1, 2025, under the Transitional Housing Assistance for Victims of Domestic Violence, Dating Violence, Stalking, or Sexual Assault program (CFDA 16.736).

Helping Services For Youth & Families Inc., a tax-exempt nonprofit based in Decorah, Iowa, will operate the Helping Services Domestic Abuse Resource Center Transitional Housing Program, providing 30 scattered-site transitional housing residences and supportive services to survivors of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking who are homeless or in need of housing assistance. The program serves 30 survivors and their families in a rural region of Iowa, with client assistance lasting a minimum of 6 months and a maximum of 24 months. Services focus on victim-centered approaches to help survivors locate and secure permanent housing, obtain employment, and integrate into the community, with tailored support addressing the needs of underserved populations in the region.

Performance occurs in Decorah, Iowa. The period of performance runs through September 30, 2028. This is a continuation award. The program's underlying purpose is to provide transitional housing and support services to minors, adults, and their dependents who lack adequate emergency shelter or crisis intervention services.

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. Helping services for youth and families INC., a non-profit organization located in decorah, IA, will implement the helping services domestic abuse resource center transitional housing program through the provision of victim-centered approaches to transitional housing needs, in collaboration with a partner agency. The project will provide thirty private landlord, scattered site transitional housing residences for thirty survivors and their families in a rural 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 providing victim services in rural areas and will be tailored to address the needs of victims who are served. The range of optional support services includes rental and utility assistance, victim advocacy, case management, financial counseling, safety planning, and housing advocacy. The project will hire one additional staff member to implement the program and provide follow-up services for at least 3 months once permanent housing is secured.