Responding to Violence Against Women through a Housing First Program

Volunteers of America, Oregon - Home Free

1NAEH Annual Conference 7/17/06

Responding to Violence Against Women through a

Housing First Program

Responding to Violence Against Women through a

Housing First ProgramVolunteers of America, Oregon

Home FreeKris Billhardt

[email protected]



Caveats and DisclaimersCaveats and Disclaimers

Development of new response models does not negate the need for programs that provide immediate safety for DV survivors.

This is not a prescription or a miracle solution; simply our experience of change and its benefits.

Consider our program’s story as to whether or how it may be applicable in your community to add to options available to DV survivors.



DV in Multnomah CountyDV in Multnomah County

28,000 victims; 3/5 have children Police DV Unit:10,000 reports/year Over 50% of all reported violent crime Largest contributing factor to area homicides Significant factor in 35% of long term child

abuse/neglect cases Over 30,000 crisis calls to DV hotlines 15,000 DV shelter bednights annually



Link Between DV and Housing Stability Link Between DV and Housing Stability

Poor women experience DV at higher rates and have fewer resources with which to seek/maintain safe and stable housing

46% of homeless women report having stayed in an abusive relationship because they had nowhere else to go

38% of all DV survivors become homeless at some point

DV’s effects can dramatically impact the ability to obtain/maintain stable housing, incl. physical and mental health, employment, education, and connection to social supports



Link Between DV and Housing Stability II Link Between DV and Housing Stability II

Homelessness is only one end of a continuum of housing problems faced by women experiencing DV• Missed or late payments for rent/utilities• Compromises: selling belongings or

skipping food to make payments• Ruined credit• Apartment damage• Discrimination based on status as victims



Link Between DV and Housing Stability IIILink Between DV and Housing Stability III

Obstacles to affordable housing may seem insurmountable; many remain with or return to abuser

High density/high violence in public housing complexes may place women at continued risk

Chronicity of DV results in repeated choice between homelessness and abuse

Denials, evictions, lease terminations based on violence/ abuser interference



VOA Home Free – History

1926: VOA est. Mothers and Children’s Home to serve “abandoned” women and children

•DV became focal in the 70’s

•Family Center/ Transition House, 1989



VOA Home Free – History II

1998 – The Beginnings of Change

Outreach component added to residential service elements



Home Free’s Big Change:

October, 2003 •Closed Shelter

•Hotline hours reduced to 8AM- 6PM M-F

•Expanded motel vouchering

•Expanded housing-focused services

•Expanded outstationed services and mobile advocacy



VOA Home Free – Program DesignEmergency Services

Children’s Services

Out-stationed Services

Transitional and Housing Services



Housing FirstHousing First

Stresses immediate return to permanent, neighborhood-based housing, along with 6-12 months of individualized support to ensure retention (Portland Community Standard)



Housing First Research FindingsHousing First Research Findings

Homeless individuals more likely to sustain housing when given a permanent home

Vulnerable/at-risk families more responsive to interventions and community supports after in their own housing



The Case for Housing First with DV Survivors The Case for Housing First with DV Survivors

Finding and keeping housing one of greatest barriers faced by women who leave abusers

Research suggests that women who secure housing reduce chances of revictimization

Women linked with advocates during post-crisis period report higher quality of life, more social supports, and less re-abuse



VOA Home Free’s Housing First ProgramVOA Home Free’s Housing First Program

Staffed by 5 mobile advocates Budget includes $175,000 in direct

client assistance funds Capacity: 80-100 households/yr (8-12

per advocate) in housing program Duration of services: Up to two years Scattered-site model (private market or

public housing)



Referrals to Home Free Housing Services

19%

12%

8%

8%4%

49%

Other Home FreePrograms 49%

Culturally SpecificService Providers 19%

Domestic ViolenceShelters 12%

Legal Resources 8%

Word-of-Mouth 8%

Public SchoolCounselors 4%



Participant Flow Through Housing Services

MILESTONE 1First contact.

Focus: Response to immediate needs. MILESTONE 2

Intake. Focus: taking steps on short term plan, housing search.

MILESTONE 3Housing

obtained. Focus: Addressing

issues/needs that better ensure

retention.

MILESTONE 4Active work on long-term

goals. Focus: taking increasing responsibility for

finances and systems navigation.

MILESTONE 5Transition to

permanency. Focus: Discontinue reliance on

subsidy.

MILESTONE 6Focus: Embedding

pattern of financial self sufficiency. Increased

sense of personal power and resourcefulness.

DESTINATIONFull life not defined by DV. Financially stable, making own choices, capable self-

advocate.

Eligibility:•Surviving DV/SA•Immediate crisis

stabilized. •Housing

stabilization a primary need.

•Financial resourcefulness

compromised by DV/ other barriers



Advocacy Services Include:(You Name it!)

Advocacy Services Include:(You Name it!)

Accompaniment, home visits Housing search, job search, job training referrals Danger Assessments and safety planning Direct financial assistance Intervention/case coordination with other systems Advocacy with landlords, Housing Authority Linkages to civil legal and immigration law services Direct services to children Help with budgeting, goal planning DV and parenting support groups



Who We Are ServingWho We Are Serving Average Age of Adults served: 30 Age Range of adults: 17 – 54 Race/Ethnicity:

31% white (79.2% in population)29% Latino (9% in population)28% African-American (5.7% in population) 9% Native American (1% in population)1% Asian (.4% in population)



Who We Are Serving II

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

U.S. NotCountry of

Origin 23%

Disability16%

ArrestHistory

26%

Alcohol andDrug History

30%

Mental HealthHistory

46%

Householdsw ith Children

80%

Involvementw ith ChildWelfare

System 63%



Early Results Early Results

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

Enrolled ObtainedHousing

Remains inHousing

Left Program

89% Obtained Housing

92% remain in housing

Avg. time in housing TD: 13 mo. (range 1 – 30 mo.)



A Study of the Effectiveness of a Housing Intervention for Battered Women

A Study of the Effectiveness of a Housing Intervention for Battered WomenA cooperative agreement between Multnomah County Domestic Violence Coordinator’s Office and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Study Purpose: Evaluate the effectiveness, including cost-effectiveness, of an existing permanent housing program provided by VOA Home Free in preventing revictimization and reducing negative health outcomes of survivors of IPV and their children.



Study DesignStudy Design

Participants: Women domestic violence victims, age 18-64, who speak English or Spanish

Study begins at “post-crisis” stage of service delivery

Data collected (baseline, 6, 12, and 18 months):– Outcomes for women and their children– Cost of domestic violence and cost

effectiveness of the housing models



Intervention group: VOA Home Free housing program (housing first plus DV advocacy)

Comparison groups:VOA Home Free Mobile Advocacy Services (limited

or no rent assistance + DV advocacy) Raphael House of Portland (emergency shelter with

DV advocacy)DHS Self Sufficiency TA-DVS Program (short-term

housing assistance + limited DV advocacy)Portland Impact Safety Net (housing first + limited DV

advocacy)

Study Design IIStudy Design II



Importance of the Research ProjectImportance of the Research Project

Current housing research doesn’t consider effectiveness of housing first for DV victims

Current DV research doesn’t consider impact of housing instability on victim’s ability to stay safe or on children’s outcomes

Funding priorities at OVW and HUD shifting to longer-term housing and to “proven practices”

Some housing policy creates barriers for victims and their children

Study can demonstrate need to expand range of housing options for survivors and their children

Documents

Responding to Violence Against Women through a Housing First Program