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 Women's Shelter Inc. $500,000 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). The recipient will operate the WSI Transitional Housing-Rural Project, providing seven privately owned, scattered-site transitional housing residences to survivors of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking and their families in southeastern Minnesota. Support services include rental and utility assistance, case management, safety planning, career counseling, job training, legal assistance, and housing advocacy. Clients will receive assistance for a minimum of six months and a maximum of 24 months, with the project designed to serve underserved and rural populations in the Rochester, Minnesota area. Women's Shelter Inc., a Rochester-based nonprofit, collaborates with Workforce Development, Inc. on the project. The grant extends through September 30, 2028, with place of performance in Rochester, Minnesota.

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. Women's shelter INC, a non-profit organization located in rochester, MN, will implement the women's shelter' INC (WSI) transitional housing-rural project through the provision of victim-centered approaches to transitional housing needs, in collaboration with workforce development, INC. The project will provide seven private landlord, scattered site transitional housing residences for seven survivors and their families in a rural region of southeastern, MN. 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 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, safety planning, victim advocacy, financial/employment counseling, support groups, individual counseling, transportation assistance, 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.