Final Report of the Subcommittee on Domestic Trafficking

According to 24 CFR 960.206(b)(4) Preference for victims <strong>of</strong> domestic violence, <strong>the</strong> PHAshould consider whe<strong>the</strong>r to adopt a local preference for admission <strong>of</strong> families thatincludes victims <strong>of</strong> domestic violence. A preference for victims <strong>of</strong> domestic violence aswell as o<strong>the</strong>r local preferences must be included in a written statement that is reflected inPHA policies that govern eligibility, selection, and admission to <strong>the</strong> program. Apreference for victims <strong>of</strong> domestic violence/domestic trafficking creates an alternative forthose who may become homeless because <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> need to flee abuse.HUD strongly encourages PHAs to participate in ongoing dialogue with domesticviolence providers and advocates, law enforcement agencies and non-pr<strong>of</strong>it organizationsto develop coordinated solutions that respond to this problem.B. Domestic victims who are legal U.S. residents and adults: A PHA may adopt alocal selection preference for victims <strong>of</strong> domestic trafficking.The information provided in Section A applies to domestic victims, who are legal U.S.residents and adults, with <strong>the</strong> following caveats:1. According to 24 CFR 5.506 (Citizenship and Eligible Immigrant Status) all familymembers must ei<strong>the</strong>r be citizens or nationals <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> U.S. to receive housingassistance (e.g., public housing).2. To qualify for housing assistance, at least one family member is ei<strong>the</strong>r a citizen oran eligible immigrant, <strong>the</strong> family will qualify as a “mixed family” under 24 CFR5.504 and will have <strong>the</strong>ir housing assistance prorated.3. An eligible immigrant, who qualifies for assistance, can be admitted under one ormore local preferences including <strong>the</strong> domestic violence/trafficking preference.C. Domestic victims who are U.S. Citizens and minors (under 18):The Federal Rule defines certain types <strong>of</strong> families, but <strong>the</strong> PHA establishes <strong>the</strong> basicdefinition <strong>of</strong> what is considered to be a family. Thus, a PHA may include anemancipated minor (someone under 18 years <strong>of</strong> age) within its definition <strong>of</strong> family.Thus, an emancipated minor could be admitted under one or more local preferencesincluding a domestic trafficking preference.D. Domestic victims who are legal U.S. residents and minors (under 18):38