The agency highlights historic milestones and housing protections under the Violence Against Women Act, and critical actions taken to address gender-based violence
In recognition of Domestic Violence Awareness and Prevention Month, proclaimed by President Biden in 2021, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) today issued a statement underscoring its continued dedication to support programs that address the housing needs of those impacted by gender-based violence and continue to raise awareness about HUD resources to support survivors. This work includes providing vital information to grantees and other stakeholders on the housing protections of survivors under the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA).
“As we recognize Domestic Violence Awareness and Prevention month, we must remember that access to safe and stable housing is a lifeline for survivors,” said HUD Acting Secretary Adrianne Todman. “At HUD, we are committed to ensuring that survivors have the housing security they need to rebuild their lives. Our work to expand affordable housing options, strengthen partnerships with service providers, and implement survivor-centered policies is vital to breaking the cycle of abuse and creating pathways to safety and independence for those in need.”
As domestic violence affects millions of individuals and their families across the country, HUD has taken additional actions to address gender-based violence, including:
- Established the Office on Gender-Based Violence in the Department’s Office of the Secretary. Required by the VAWA Reauthorization Act of 2022, the Office on Gender-Based Violence sets, coordinates, and implements policies and programs to address the safe housing and economic stability needs of survivors of gender-based violence, including domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, stalking, and human trafficking.
- In September, joined the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the U.S. Department of Justice, the U.S. Department of the Treasury, and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs to issue an Interagency Statement on VAWA’s Housing Provisions. The Statement outlines the housing programs included in VAWA’s housing title, potential scenarios that highlight the need for VAWA’s housing protections, the housing rights of survivors and others, agency obligations to implement VAWA’s housing title, and certain agency authorities to enforce these provisions.
- In March, published a first-of-its-kind report on the housing needs of survivors of human trafficking, required by the VAWA Reauthorization Act of 2022. In September, HUD released a second accompanying fact sheet focused on the report’s findings on the housing needs of youth trafficking survivors and youth at risk of trafficking.
- In February, awarded $57 million in Continuum of Care Domestic Violence Bonus projects serving survivors of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, stalking, and human trafficking. In July, HUD announced the availability of at least another $52 million in Domestic Violence Bonus projects, which will be publicized early next year.
- In January, HUD’s Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity reached a settlement with housing providers in Tennessee under, in part, HUD’s VAWA enforcement authority.
- In Fiscal Year 2023, Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) grantees used over $12.9 million of CDBG funds and another $8.3 million of CDBG-CV funds on services for survivors of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking. CDBG funds supported crisis intervention, a crisis hotline, counseling, emergency shelter and housing assistance, legal assistance, and other community services for adults and children as well as survivors.
- HUD, which awarded $10 million in VAWA technical assistance funding in October 2023, is working closely with the Department’s VAWA Technical Assistance Providers and program offices to provide robust and ongoing training and technical assistance to support public housing agencies, owners, managers, recipients, and grantees.