Housing Resources for Survivors of Domestic Violence

Safety First: Emergency Shelter

If you are in immediate danger, your first priority is safety. Domestic violence shelters exist specifically for you and provide safe emergency housing along with crisis counseling and safety planning.

Finding Emergency Shelter

• National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-7233 (24/7, confidential, multilingual). Call or text and they'll help you find shelter in your area.
• Online Resource: Text "START" to 88788 to be connected to a local shelter program
• Safety First: Shelter staff can help you create a safety plan, understand your rights, and connect to longer-term housing and legal assistance

Shelter is not a permanent solution, but it's often the necessary first step in leaving. Once you're safe, you can work on longer-term housing stability with support.

VAWA Protections: Your Housing Rights as a Survivor

The Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) is a federal law that protects survivors of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking in housing. VAWA gives you specific rights in HUD housing programs, Section 8, public housing, and certain private housing situations. These protections are critical and often unknown—they can literally be the difference between being evicted and maintaining stable housing.

Emergency Transfer Rights

If you live in public housing, Section 8 housing, or HUD-assisted housing and you're experiencing domestic violence, you have the right to an emergency transfer to another unit or property. This means:

• You can request to move immediately if you're in danger
• Your request is prioritized and handled confidentially
• The housing authority must help move you quickly, often within days or weeks
• You remain on your voucher or in the program; there's no loss of benefits

To request an emergency transfer, contact your housing authority or Section 8 PHA directly. Tell them you need an emergency transfer due to domestic violence (you don't need to provide details). A case manager or victim advocate can help facilitate the process and keep your information confidential.

Lease Bifurcation: Removing the Abuser Without Losing Housing

One of VAWA's most powerful protections is "lease bifurcation"—the ability to remove an abuser from a lease without affecting your housing. If both you and your abuser are on the lease, you can request that the housing authority remove them while you remain and keep the unit and your voucher. This means:

• The abuser must leave the unit
• You keep your housing, your voucher, and your eligibility
• Your rent doesn't increase because they've left
• The process is confidential

Lease bifurcation is especially important because leaving abuse often means facing housing instability and economic hardship. With VAWA, you don't have to choose between your safety and your home.

Protection from Eviction Due to Domestic Violence

VAWA also protects you from being evicted because of domestic violence. This is critical because abusers often use eviction threats to maintain control. Under VAWA, you cannot be evicted, denied housing, or lose your voucher because:

• Violence or threats of violence occurred in your home
• You called police or sought protective orders because of abuse
• The abuser caused property damage, evictions, or other housing instability
• You need to change your lease or household composition to ensure safety

If a landlord or housing authority tries to evict you citing these reasons, it's likely a VAWA violation. Contact legal aid, a domestic violence shelter, or HUD immediately.

How to Assert VAWA Rights

To invoke VAWA protections, you need to demonstrate that you or a family member experienced domestic violence. Here's how:

Documenting Abuse

You can prove domestic violence through:

• Police Reports: If you called police, those reports are strong evidence
• Protective Orders: A restraining order or order of protection is clear documentation
• Medical Records: Hospital or doctor's documentation of injuries related to abuse
• Shelter Records: Documentation from a domestic violence shelter confirms your history
• Letters from Advocates or Counselors: A domestic violence counselor, therapist, or victim advocate can write a letter describing abuse and your need for protections
• Statement from You or Witness: Your own signed statement describing the abuse and how it affects your housing is acceptable, especially if signed by a witness or advocate

You don't need proof of conviction or a court judgment. What matters is demonstrating that you or a household member experienced abuse and that housing protections are necessary for safety.

Submitting Your VAWA Request

1. Contact your local housing authority or Section 8 PHA and ask for information about VAWA protections
2. Explain what you're requesting (emergency transfer, lease bifurcation, or eviction protection)
3. Provide documentation of the abuse using the methods above
4. The housing authority must evaluate your request promptly and act on it if you're eligible
5. Your information will be kept confidential—the housing authority cannot share details with the abuser

Family Unification Program (FUP) Vouchers

The Family Unification Program (FUP) provides Section 8 vouchers specifically for families at risk of homelessness due to lack of housing. Many domestic violence survivors qualify, especially if abuse has caused housing loss or economic hardship.

FUP Eligibility

You may qualify for an FUP voucher if:

• You are homeless or at imminent risk of homelessness due to lack of affordable housing
• You have a child under 21 in your care (or are 18-21 and were in foster care)
• You are referred by a child welfare agency, court, or homeless services provider

For domestic violence survivors, the connection is often through child protective services, homeless services, or domestic violence agencies who can refer you for FUP consideration.

How to Access FUP

• If you're receiving services from a domestic violence shelter, ask them about FUP referral
• Contact your local homeless services provider and explain your situation
• If you have contact with child protective services, ask if you're eligible for FUP
• Ask your local PHA directly about FUP and the referral process

FUP vouchers have limited availability, but they exist specifically to help families move from homelessness to stable housing. It's worth asking about.

Confidential Address Programs

One of the biggest safety concerns for survivors is the abuser knowing where they live. Confidential address programs protect your privacy by:

• Using a substitute address for public records (like voter registration, vehicle registration)
• Keeping your real address off of public records and inaccessible to the abuser
• Allowing you to receive mail through a program office

Accessing Confidential Address Services

• Your local domestic violence shelter can connect you to confidential address programs
• Contact your state's Secretary of State office—most states have Address Confidentiality Programs (ACP)
• Call the National Domestic Violence Hotline (1-800-799-7233) and ask about programs in your area

Being on a confidential address program while accessing housing means your address won't appear on court records, voting rolls, or other public documents that an abuser might check.

How Housing Authorities Handle Domestic Violence Cases

If you disclose domestic violence to your housing authority or PHA, here's what should happen:

• Confidentiality: Your information should be handled confidentially. The authority cannot share details with the abuser without your consent (with very limited exceptions).
• Prompt Action: Your request for emergency transfer, lease bifurcation, or eviction protection must be evaluated quickly—typically within days, not weeks.
• Support: Housing authorities should work with you (and victim advocates if you want them involved) to develop a safety plan
• No Retaliation: You cannot be punished for calling for help, reporting abuse, or requesting protective measures

If your housing authority is not responsive or protective, contact HUD or a domestic violence legal advocate.

You should never have to choose between leaving abuse and losing your home. VAWA exists to make sure that's not a choice you face.

Building Economic Independence

Beyond immediate housing, many survivors need support rebuilding economic independence after abuse. Consider asking about:

• Job Training and Employment Programs: Your shelter, local workforce development office, or nonprofit may offer free job training
• Financial Counseling: Many nonprofits offer free budgeting and financial recovery support for survivors
• Childcare Assistance: If you have children, there may be subsidized childcare available to allow you to work or attend school
• Education Support: Some shelters and nonprofits provide tuition assistance or support for GED/college programs
• Credit Repair: If the abuser damaged your credit, free legal aid or credit counseling can help you rebuild

When Abuse Involves Immigrant Status or Documentation Issues

If you're undocumented or the abuser has threatened immigration-related consequences, know that:

• Immigration status is not a barrier to accessing shelter or housing assistance in most cases
• The U visa (for immigrants who report crime) and the T visa (for human trafficking survivors) may provide work authorization while you rebuild
• VAWA itself has special provisions for immigrant survivors
• Domestic violence shelters and legal aid can help with immigration-related questions

Do not let fear of immigration consequences prevent you from seeking help. Shelters and victim advocates are experienced in helping survivors navigate these complex situations.

Legal Assistance and Protection Orders

Beyond housing protections, you may also benefit from legal help:

• Protective Orders: A court can issue a restraining order preventing the abuser from contacting you or coming near your home
• Custody and Support: Family court can establish custody, visitation, and child support orders that protect you and your children
• Divorce or Separation: Legal help with ending the marriage or relationship

Contact legal aid in your area or ask your shelter for referrals. Many organizations provide free legal help for domestic violence survivors.

You Are Not Alone

Leaving an abusive relationship is one of the hardest things a person can do. The burden of finding safe, stable housing on top of that should not fall on you alone. These programs and protections exist because society recognizes that survivors deserve safety and stability.

Reach out to your local shelter or call the National Hotline. The people there understand what you're going through, and they're trained to help you navigate housing, legal protections, and the steps toward independence. You deserve to be safe. You deserve stable housing. And you deserve support in getting there.