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 S.M.A.R.T Bus on October 1, 2025, under the Transitional Housing Assistance for Victims of Domestic Violence, Dating Violence, Stalking, or Sexual Assault program (CFDA 16.736).

S.M.A.R.T Bus, a nonprofit organization based in Raleigh, North Carolina, will implement the SMART Transitions Project in collaboration with Together for Change NC. The project will provide 15 to 16 private landlord scattered-site transitional housing residences for survivors and their families across rural and urban regions of North Carolina, located in Brentwood, NC 27616. Clients will receive housing and supportive services for an anticipated minimum of six months and maximum of 24 months to transition to permanent housing.

Support services include victim advocacy, housing advocacy, financial and employment navigation, and measures tailored to combat human trafficking and transnational crime. Services focus on victim-centered approaches to assist survivors with locating and securing permanent housing, obtaining employment, and integrating into their communities.

The award period runs from October 1, 2025, through September 30, 2028.

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. S.M.A.R.t bus, a non-profit organization located in raleigh, north carolina, will implement the smart transitions project through the provision of victim-centered approaches to transitional housing needs, in collaboration with together for change NC. The project will provide 15 to 16 private landlord scattered site transitional housing residences for survivors and their families in rural and urban regions of north carolina. 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 measures to combat human trafficking and transnational crime, and will be tailored to address the needs of victims who are served. The range of optional support services includes victim advocacy, housing advocacy, financial and employment navigation, individual and group counseling, and language access. The project will hire one additional staff member to implement the program and provide follow-up services for at least three months once permanent housing is secured.