Domestic Violence & Intimate-Partner Violence (IPV) Resources Page
Participants who are survivors of domestic or intimate-partner violence (IPV) are protected by federal law under VAWA, or The Violence Against Women Act. VAWA is a federal statute that provides funding and protections for survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, human trafficking, and stalking who are applying for or living in federally assisted housing.
VAWA protections apply to any survivor of intimate partner violence, regardless of immigration status, gender identity, or other protected characteristics.
What Is VAWA?
VAWA is a federal statute that provides funding and protections for survivors of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, human trafficking, and stalking who are applying for or living in federally assisted housing. VAWA transfers are also available for a parallel transfer within interim housing programs.
VAWA applies to any survivor of intimate partner violence (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.
Key Protections Under 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, receive 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 These 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)
Additional Protections Under California Law
Under California law, survivors have additional protections beyond federal VAWA:
- 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 requesting emergency assistance
VAWA Forms and Training
All staff who work directly with participants must be trained and well versed in VAWA including how to request VAWA protection, VAWA occupancy rights, prohibitions against eviction or denial of admission, how to determine whether a condition is the direct result of domestic violence, and the right to lease bifurcation.
Training Tip: The HUD Exchange at hudexchange.info contains myriad online training modules related to VAWA and working with survivors of domestic violence. Start there to access all available training resources.
HUD Form 5380 — Notice of Occupancy Rights
Required notice to tenants of their housing rights under VAWA. Available in English and Spanish.
HUD Form 5382 — Certification of Domestic Violence
Certification of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking and alternate documentation. Available in English and Spanish.
HUD Form 5383 — Emergency Transfer Request
Emergency transfer request for certain victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking.
All Domestic Violence/IPV Forms and Training
Access the full library of VAWA forms, FAQs, training materials, and program office resources on the HUD VAWA page.
- Visit HUD VAWA Page
- Visit HUD Exchange for Training Modules
- VAWA Interim Emergency Transfer Plan – Project-Based PSH – LAHSA Centralized Training Academy
- VAWA Interim Emergency Transfer Plan – Tenant-Based Housing – LAHSA Centralized Training Academy
- VAWA Interim Emergency Transfer Plan – Interim Housing – LAHSA Centralized Training Academy
- Housing Protections for Survivors – LAHSA Centralized Training Academy
- Non-HMIS Portal Training – LAHSA Centralized Training Academy
Help for Survivors
The following resources provide direct support, legal assistance, and crisis services for survivors of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking. Case managers can share these resources with participants and connect them to the appropriate support.
Important: If a participant is in immediate danger, call 911. For crisis support, connect participants to the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 (available 24/7).
LAHSA Resources for Survivors
National Domestic Violence Hotline
- Call: 1-800-799-7233
- TTY: 1-800-787-3224
- Visit thehotline.org
National Sexual Assault Hotline
StrongHearts Native Helpline
Victim Connect Resource Center
A search tool for various services throughout the United States for all types of survivors of crime.
National Legal Aid and Defender Association
Search for help with a civil legal problem by location.
Strong Families Network
A search tool offering lists of legal aid providers and information about legal rights by state.
HUD VAWA Resources
The following HUD program offices provide VAWA guidance, training, and policy resources for housing providers and case managers. All resources are available on the HUD VAWA website.
HUD VAWA Page
Access VAWA forms, FAQs, training resources, interagency statements, and program office resources from the HUD VAWA hub.
HUD Exchange Training
Online training modules on VAWA, working with survivors of domestic violence, VAWA occupancy rights, and more.
Interagency Statement on VAWA Housing Provisions
On September 12, 2024, HUD, the U.S. Departments of Agriculture, Treasury, Veterans Affairs, and Justice issued an Interagency Statement on VAWA’s Housing Provisions affirming the housing rights of survivors of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking. The statement outlines housing programs included in VAWA’s housing title, potential scenarios that highlight the need for VAWA’s housing protections, and agency obligations to implement and enforce these provisions.
LAHSA Resources
A list of links, resources, and training materials related to domestic violence/VAWA created and maintained by LAHSA.
LAHSA VAWA Page
Access VAWA forms, FAQs, resources, interagency statements, and program office resources from the LAHSA VAWA page.
LAHSA Centralized Training Academy
Visit the LAHSA CTA for trainings covering a variety of subjects, including online training modules on VAWA, working with survivors of domestic violence, VAWA occupancy rights, and more.
LAHSA Trainings on Domestic Violence/VAWA
- VAWA Interim Emergency Transfer Plan – Project-Based PSH – LAHSA Centralized Training Academy
- VAWA Interim Emergency Transfer Plan – Tenant-Based Housing – LAHSA Centralized Training Academy
- VAWA Interim Emergency Transfer Plan – Interim Housing – LAHSA Centralized Training Academy
- Housing Protections for Survivors – LAHSA Centralized Training Academy
- Non-HMIS Portal Training – LAHSA Centralized Training Academy