People fleeing domestic violence experience a state of uncertainty; gathering clothes, children, and medicine as they leave. What are their housing options? A shelter, a friend's couch, public housing, the street?

• Domestic violence is a leading cause of homelessness nationally.

o       In one study in Massachusetts, it was found that 92% of homelessness women were survivors of physical or sexual assault at some point in their lives.

o       Between 22% and 57% of homeless women report that domestic violence is the immediate cause of their homelessness in various regions.

**For more statistics about state-wide domestic violence, see our fact sheet on Housing and Violence Against Women.

• When a landlord learns that a tenant is a victim of domestic violence, the landlord sometimes reacts by taking action against the victim.

o       The Federal Fair Housing Act prohibits landlords from treating women differently from male tenants protecting those living in public housing, houses, apartments, condominiums, trailer parks, and homeless shelters.

•  The Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) improves safety for domestic violence victims in housing and shelter by bringing desperately needed resources, collaborations, and protections to help end homelessness and domestic and sexual violence.

o        The Law Center played a lead role in drafting and winning enactment of new Public and Section 8 housing protections and housing programs to assist homeless and near-homeless domestic violence survivors included in the Violence Against Women Act of 2005.

• The Law Center's Domestic Violence Program works to improve access to housing for domestic violence survivors and their families.

• We work to develop and implement policy changes, build networks, and broaden education efforts in the housing, legal, and domestic violence communities.

• Our efforts expand access to housing for those fleeing abuse. We also prevent victims of domestic violence from losing their housing due to the violence committed against them.