Lost Housing, Lost Safety

Survivors of Domestic Violence Experience Housing Denials and Evictions Across the Country

With the most recent VAWA 2005 reauthorization, Congress recognized that domestic violence is a leading cause of homelessness nationally, and that victims of domestic violence around the country are discriminated against in housing because of the acts of their abusers against them. In its findings, Congress noted that 92% of homeless women have experienced "severe physical or sexual abuse at some point in their lives."  Congress found almost 150 documented eviction cases in the last year alone where the tenant was evicted because of the domestic violence crimes committed against her, and that nearly 100 persons were "denied housing because of their status as victims of domestic violence."  Most disturbing, Congress found that many domestic violence victims return to their abusers because they are unable to secure long-term housing.

NLCHP and the National Network to End Domestic Violence (NNEDV) surveyed legal and social services providers around the country who work with homeless and low-income domestic violence survivors to address their housing needs. The results of the national survey demonstrate the extent of evictions and housing denials, thereby adding to existing cases and stories.

This report contains the results of NLCHP's and NNEDV's July 2005 survey, as well as our recommendations. The results of the survey indicate that the federal legal protections enacted in VAWA 2005 must be put into practice now in order for domestic violence survivors to benefit from its safeguards. Without timely and effective implementation, VAWA 2005 could fail to assist domestic violence survivors who continue to be evicted from or denied housing, leaving many women who have no alternative housing options or financial resources vulnerable to ongoing abuse or homelessness.

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