Violence Against Women Act Passes Senate

Reauthorization Bill Expands Housing Protections for Domestic Violence Survivors

Press Type: Press Release   Associated Program: Housing

Released: 02/2013

WASHINGTON, D.C.  Today, the Senate voted to reauthorize the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) by a vote of 78-22. The bill received strong support from the National Law Center on Homelessness & Poverty and a coalition of 325 national organizations.

The legislation, S. 47, extends VAWA's housing protections beyond public housing and Section 8 to include all housing programs administered by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, as well as the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) program. It also protects survivors of sexual assault.

To ensure abused women are not forced to choose between keeping their public or subsidized housing and becoming homeless, S. 47 also requires housing providers to adopt emergency transfer policies. Moreover, it obligates housing providers to give survivors notice of their VAWA rights during any eviction process.

'This bill is a big victory for survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault,' said Jeremy Rosen, policy director at the Law Center. 'We're grateful to Senators Al Franken, Patrick Leahy, and Patty Murray for advancing legislation that maintains and improves on the protections of the Violence Against Women Act. Now, we'll turn our attention to the House and the Administration to ensure this critical legislation becomes law.'

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The National Law Center on Homelessness & Poverty is a leader in the movement to end and prevent homelessness. To achieve its goal, it uses policy advocacy, public education, and impact litigation strategies.

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