VAWA is a federal statute that provides funding and protections for survivors of Domestic Violence (DV), sexual assault, human trafficking, and stalking and all intimate partner violence (IPV) who are applying for or living in federally assisted housing.
VAWA transfers are available for a “parallel transfer” within interim housing programs as well.
VAWA applies to any survivor of IPV. Federal, state, and local laws protect individuals from discrimination based on actual or perceived race, color, religion, national or ethnic origin, sex, familial status, marital status, citizenship or immigration status, primary language, age, disability, actual or perceived gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, genetic information, source of income, military or veteran. status, and other bases. VAWA applies to any survivor of IPV.
Here is a snapshot of the protections in VAWA:
- Not be denied admission to, not be evicted from, and not have their assistance ended because of the violence committed against them
- Receive a notice of housing rights under VAWA
- Request that a perpetrator be removed from the lease and housing where applicable
- For participants with housing choice vouchers, assistance to move away from the perpetrator while continuing to receive their HCV subsidy
- Request an emergency transfer to get away from the perpetrator and get a new unit
VAWA applies to the following programs:
- Project-Based Supportive Housing
- Scattered-Site Supportive Housing
- Tenant-Based Supportive Housing
- Emergency Shelter
- Project Roomkey
- Bridge Housing
- Safe Parking HCV (Section 8 Vouchers)
Under California law, survivors have additional protections:
- Applies to all rental housing
- Early lease termination
- Lock changes
- Cannot be evicted due to violence they experience
- Cannot be evicted for calling 911 and emergency assistance
- Training
All staff who work directly with participants must be trained and well versed in the various aspects of VAWA including how to request VAWA protection; VAWA occupancy rights; prohibitions against eviction or denial of admission; how to determine whether a condition (such as poor credit, poor rental history, criminal record, or failure to pay rent) is the direct result of domestic violence and the right to lease bifurcation.
TIP: The HUD Exchange (www.hudexchange.info) contains myriad online training modules related to VAWA, working with survivors of domestic violence, etc. Start here to see available training resources.