Due to the continuing and rising need for permanent and affordable housing for survivors of domestic violence, Violence Free Colorado developed the Housing Program to provide training and technical assistance on sheltering, housing and homelessness issues as they relate to domestic violence.
DV and Housing in Colorado
The issues of domestic violence and homelessness are inextricably linked. Domestic violence is a primary cause of homelessness for women and children. A staggering 92% of women who are homeless report having experienced severe physical and/or sexual assault at some point in their lives. Approximately 50 percent of all women who are homeless report that domestic violence was the immediate cause of their homelessness. [1]
Domestic violence survivors are routinely met with discrimination when finding new housing; a lack of affordable housing and housing assistance further limits their options. The 2015 National Network to End Domestic Violence Domestic Violence Census found 158 Unmet Requests for Services in One Day, of Which 79% Were for Housing. And that doesn’t account for all the survivors that do not reach out to a shelter for housing for various reasons.
Most recent data from the National Low Income Housing Coalition (2016) found that someone would have to earn $21.12/hour to afford a two-bedroom unit in Colorado. If someone is making minimum wage, they would have to work 102 hours/week to afford a two-bedroom apartment in Colorado. [2]
The barriers, discrimination, and lack of affordable housing options and resources greatly affect the long-term stability and safety of survivors in Colorado. Violence Free Colorado is working collaboratively with statewide partners and programs to make a meaningful difference in addressing housing barriers that survivors of domestic violence face.
Please see more information about two projects that Violence Free Colorado is involved with:
[1] Webster, M. (2013). Pathway to Permanent Housing for Victims of Domestic Violence. Denver : Colorado Division of Criminal Justice: Office for Victims Programs.
[2] National Low Income Housing Coalition , 2016
Violence Free Colorado's Housing Program
The Housing Program can provide information on state and national housing laws and options necessary to effectively meet survivors’ housing needs and to engage in local housing systems advocacy. The Housing Program also engages in housing systems advocacy on the state and national level.
Housing for Crime Victims Special Project Information
The Housing for Crime Victims Special Project will focus on helping victims increase access to, and retain safe, long-term housing and providing the necessary supports they need to rebuild their lives. The Housing Projects will rely on survivor-driven mobile advocacy (meeting survivors where they are), housing assistance, supportive services, community engagement, and financial assistance.
The Housing Special Project Sites will be implementing evidence-based approaches that have been successful in other states, such as the Domestic Violence Housing First project in Washington State. The goals of the Project include, among others, assisting crime victims in meeting their long-term housing needs, enhancing and expanding community support, and providing low-barrier survivor-driven mobile advocacy by meeting survivors where it is safe and convenient for them.
For information on the project and the housing sites please click here.
For additional information and/or training requests please contact Stevi Gray, Housing Program Manager at sgray@violencefreeco.org or 303-962-3321*
*Violence Free Colorado is a statewide coalition that focuses on the issue of domestic violence through policy, training, collaboration, and systems advocacy. We do not provide emergency direct services to survivors and do not directly provide housing. Please see www.violencefreecolorado.org/find-help to find a local program near you.