Transcript DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND HOMELESSNESS

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND
HOMELESSNESS
Linda Olsen, MA, MSW
Presented at the National Conference
to End Family Homelessness
February 8, 2008
DV and Homelessness: The
Connection
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Domestic violence is one of the leading causes of
homelessness for women and children
92% of homeless women have experienced severe
physical or sexual abuse at some point in their lives;
63% have been victims of domestic violence as
adults. (Browne and Bassuk, 1997)
From a sample of women who had experienced
domestic violence, 38% became homeless after they
separated from their abusive partner. An additional
25% indicated that they had to leave their homes
during the year following the separation for both
safety and financial reasons (Baker, Cook, and Norris,
2003)
Two Separate Systems
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While homelessness is often a direct result of
domestic violence, the resources available
may be aligned to address only one of the
issues presented.
DV shelters are focused on safety planning
and a wide array of advocacy issues and
services, including housing, that victims need
and want.
Homeless service providers are focused on a
move to stable housing and improved
financial stability.
DV and Chronic Homelessness
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Combination of a lifelong history of physical trauma,
mental illness, chemical dependency, and poverty
may result in chronic homelessness.
A life on the streets and in shelters may increase a
battered woman’s vulnerability to new, abusive
relationships.
For DV shelters, the presence of a history of
homelessness combined with mental illness and
chemical dependency may eliminate women in
current abusive relationships from services.
The presence of current physical danger may
eliminate women from homeless emergency shelters.
Coordinated Efforts
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Domestic violence service providers need to address the range
of risks that women face throughout their life, including
homelessness and the need for long term, safe housing options.
Homeless service providers need to remember the presence of
domestic violence survivors in their shelters and be aware of the
legal issues, safety concerns, and lingering trauma that
survivors experience. (Include domestic violence in
Consolidated Plans!)
DV emergency shelter programs and homeless emergency
shelter programs need to coordinate supportive services for
women plagued by abuse, poverty, homelessness, chemical
dependency, and mental health issues.
For Homeless Service Providers:
What are the dynamics that make
DV survivors different?
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Safety. The threat of physical harm greatly
increases when a battered woman decides to
end the relationship. The threat &
accompanying fear may follow a survivor for
years after the relationship has ended.
“The existence of a batterer who is
sabotaging a victim’s life goals.” (Anne
Menard) The abusive partner often actively
works against any step toward independence
the survivor may try to take. Impacts of
abuse (chemical dependency; symptoms of
PTSD) may be used as part of the sabotage.
Where does domestic violence fit
in a Ten Year Plan to End
Homelessness?
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City of Seattle staff coordinated efforts among
community stakeholders throughout King County to
develop a specific DV and Homelessness Strategic
Plan. Stakeholders included housing and homeless
providers.
Monthly meetings were held through 2006, with final
plan completed and approved in April 2007
DV service provider on CEH
DV service providers attend CEH committee meetings
Plan Components
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Prevention of Homelessness
Interim Housing (Safe Temporary
Housing)
Permanent Housing
Prevention of Homelessness
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Coordinate with efforts to create funding pool
for temporary financial assistance so women
may maintain their homes (rental assistance,
utility assistance, mortgage support, critical
repairs, home maintenance costs)
Increase funding for civil legal assistance,
legal advocacy and community advocacy
Develop and improve strategies, both through
policy changes and through funding, to
ensure the safety of victims/survivors and
their children in their home
Prevention of Homelessness
(cont.)
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Educate domestic violence survivors who live
in subsidized housing about their rights under
federal law to remain in their housing unit or
be moved to a safer unit.
Work with domestic violence culturally
specific providers to develop community
engagement programs so women and
children may be safe in their own homes and
so abusive partners understand domestic
violence laws.
Interim Housing (Safe Temporary
Housing)
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Preserve existing pool of emergency
shelter/transitional housing units
designated for DV victims as “interim
housing.” Ensure geographic
distribution as well as accessibility for
victims/survivors with disabilities
Ensure that immigrants, refugees, and
those with limited English speaking
abilities have access to interim housing
that can meet their cultural needs.
Interim Housing (Safe Temporary
Housing) cont.
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Ensure that LGBT DV victim/survivors
have access to safe interim housing.
Establish one access point, with
interpretative services, for resource
information and access to interim
housing
Develop a recommended model for
hotel/motel voucher programs.
Permanent Housing
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Develop guidelines for supportive services to
survivors of DV who are tenants in
permanent, supportive housing operated by
mainstream homeless/housing providers
Ensure that DV expertise is available
throughout the homeless/housing system
Work with CEH on development of a
coordinated entry system into permanent
housing which can work for DV survivors
Permanent Housing (cont.)
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Participate in Landlord/Service Provider
Partnerships to foster relationships between
DV service providers and apartment owners
and management organizations.
In conjunction with the Ten Year Plan, work
to address the racism and discrimination that
prevent people of color from gaining access
to and achieving stability in permanent
housing.
Note on HMIS
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VAWA and McKinney-Vento: Programs whose
primary mission is to serve DV victims may not
submit personally identifying information about
clients to an HMIS
Aggregate data regarding services to clients and
nonpersonally identifying demographic information
may be provided
Does not supersede any provision of State or Local
law that provides greater protection
HMIS note (cont)
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Washington State HB 2163 (2006) says
that government shall not ask any
homeless housing provider to disclose
personally identifying information about
any homeless individuals if there is
reason to believe or evidence that the
clients are victims of DV.
Linda Olsen
Senior Planning and Development Specialist
Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Prevention Division
Seattle Human Services Department
206-386-1036
[email protected]