the essential guide - Texas Council on Family Violence

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Resources to AssessQuestions to AskNavigating Housing IssuesWhat your clientsays…My partner always findsme.I have no ideawhere to goI cannot afford a place myown place.I’ve never lived on myown.I have bad credit or criminal history.How do you think yourabuser might havefound you in <strong>the</strong> past?Did your abuser evertell you how you werefound?Has your abuser madeany specific threatsabout you leaving?What do you think itwill take for you to besafe on your own?What housing optionsdoes your communityprovide?What options meetyour clients’ needs?How much can yourclient afford?Where have you livedbefore?What did youlike/dislike about it?What is your livingbudget?What low-affordablehousing is available?Is transitional housingavailable?Have you applied to CrimeVictims’ Compensation?Does your client knowwhat living “on yourown” means?Has your client beenexposed to skill-buildingsessions that discussindependent living?What is your biggestconcern about living onyour own?What is your preferredliving situation?What do you think is on your creditreport?Have you ever been evicted or broken alease?Do you owe money to any apartmentcomplexes?What kind of charges are on your criminalhistory?Have you tried to rent an apartment sinceyou've had negativecredit/rental/criminal history?What help do you need dfto stay safe?What happened (approved, denied, andcharged additional deposit)? Protective Order Relocation Housing search linkfrom housingchapter All State FinancialEmpowermentCurriculum Life Skills Classes www.annualcreditreport.com AddressConfidentialityProgram Apartment locatorservice O<strong>the</strong>r safety planningresourcesTHE ESSENTIAL GUIDE: AN INTRODUCTION TO ADVOCATING FOR SURVIVORS OF FAMILY VIOLENCE44 | P a g e
Affordable Housing ProgramsThe Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) is responsible for <strong>the</strong> implementation andadministration of federal housing and development programs. HUD is organized into ten regionsthroughout <strong>the</strong> United States. <strong>Texas</strong> is in Region VI, with its regional office located in Fort Worth. Thisoffice oversees <strong>the</strong> four HUD field offices throughout <strong>Texas</strong>. Contact and jurisdiction information for <strong>the</strong> Region VI Office in Fort Worth and <strong>the</strong> field offices inDallas, Houston, Lubbock, and San Antonio can be found athttp://www.hud.gov/local/index.cfm?state=tx&topic=offices.Public Housing Authorities (PHAs)HUD sets <strong>the</strong> parameters for <strong>the</strong> administration of Public Housing and Section 8 and provides suggestionsregarding implementation of policies to local PHAs, which administer housing at <strong>the</strong> community level.There are 214 PHAs in <strong>Texas</strong>. Some locations have little to no wait for housing, while o<strong>the</strong>rs may havewaiting lists ranging from six months to more than two years.Public HousingPublic Housing is HUD-subsidized housing owned and operated by <strong>the</strong> local PHA. Apartment managers,facilities and maintenance staff, and onsite service providers are generally all employees of <strong>the</strong> local PHA.Rent is calculated based on family income and according to HUD <strong>guide</strong>lines (usually 30% of adjusted grossincome). Qualifying applicants are assigned to housing units based on availability and do not have achoice in <strong>the</strong>ir unit location. Public Housing residents can qualify for additional support services and selfsufficiencyprograms.Housing Choice Voucher Programs/ Section 8:The Housing Choice Voucher Program (formerly Section 8) is HUD-subsidized rental assistanceadministered by <strong>the</strong> local PHA. Qualified applicants are awarded rental assistance vouchers that may beused to rent a private house, duplex or apartment. The amount of <strong>the</strong> voucher is based on local rentalrates and family size, among o<strong>the</strong>r factors. Residents pay a portion of <strong>the</strong> rental amount, calculatedbased on family income and according to HUD <strong>guide</strong>lines (usually 30% of adjusted gross income).Residents may choose where <strong>the</strong>y wish to live as long as <strong>the</strong> landlord agrees to accept <strong>the</strong> voucher and<strong>the</strong> housing meets <strong>the</strong> local PHA requirements; <strong>the</strong> total rent does not exceed <strong>the</strong> amount of <strong>the</strong>voucher, and <strong>the</strong> unit falls within <strong>the</strong> PHA service area. Housing Choice Voucher residents can qualify foradditional support services and self-sufficiency programs.Local Preferences:Every PHA is permitted to establish local preferences to give priority status to certain populations. If youqualify under a local preference, you may be moved up to <strong>the</strong> top of <strong>the</strong> waiting list for ei<strong>the</strong>r PublicHousing or <strong>the</strong> Housing Choice Voucher Program if you are able to submit <strong>the</strong> required paperwork. Localpreferences might include older adults, people with disabilities, individuals or families displaced bynatural disasters, or victims of domestic violence. To find out what local preferences are available in yourarea, contact your PHA.THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE: AN INTRODUCTION TO ADVOCATING FOR SURVIVORS OF FAMILY VIOLENCE45 | P a g e
Page 2 and 3: Table of ContentsIntroduction: Hist
Page 4 and 5: provide a unified statewide presenc
Page 6 and 7: The Family Violence Prevention and
Page 8 and 9: The chapters that follow will provi
Page 10 and 11: Understanding the
Page 12: Leaving an Abusive RelationshipTher
Page 15 and 16: Helps Plan for Future Safety Helps
Page 17 and 18: What is Active Listening?Active Lis
Page 19 and 20: Focus on SafetySurvivors of family
Page 21 and 22: Safety PlanningAs advocates, we nee
Page 23 and 24: Would the informat
Page 25 and 26: Victims who witness the</st
Page 27 and 28: Temporary Ex Parte Protective Order
Page 29 and 30: Here is an overview of some of <str
Page 32 and 33: Family Law CasesFamily Law Cases ar
Page 34 and 35: A common way abusers instill fear i
Page 36 and 37: An Advocate’s Role…AssessExplor
Page 38 and 39: Pregnant women not eligible for Med
Page 40 and 41: Texas Advocacy Gui
Page 42 and 43: GuardianshipIn some cases, an adult
Page 46 and 47: VAWA protections (VAWA)VAWA require
Page 48 and 49: These protections fall into a few d
Page 50 and 51: housing and homeless issues in <str
Page 52 and 53: Individuals respond to traumatic ev
Page 54 and 55: Relocation Rental AssistanceRelocat
Page 56 and 57: Law Enforcement & Legal Services•
Page 58 and 59: Chapter 8: Coordination of Communit
Page 60 and 61: The end result of a well-maintained
Page 62 and 63: The success of offenders in a BIPP
Page 64 and 65: Finding SupportSince the</s
Page 66 and 67: Economic Justice ResourcesNational

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