Fed Funding for PA Transitional Housing Programs

From the inbox:

DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE AWARDS RECOVERY ACT GRANTS
TO SUPPORT PENNSYLVANIA TRANSITIONAL HOUSING PROGRAMS
COMBATING VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN

More than $1.1 Million to Support Programs in Clearfield County, Chester County, and Wilkes-Barre

WASHINGTON – Attorney General Eric Holder today announced that $1,162,713 in Recovery Act funds was awarded to three Pennsylvania organizations by the Office on Violence Against Women (OVW) Recovery Act Transitional Housing Program. The funds are being awarded to Central Pennsylvania Community Action in Clearfield County, Domestic Violence Center of Chester County, and Domestic Violence Service Center in Wilkes-Barre.

“The most vulnerable in our society too often bear the greatest burden in times of economic hardship, which is why dedicating these funds to help survivors and their families get back on their feet is a concrete example of the Recovery Act at work,” said Attorney General Holder. “Providing viable temporary housing options and services that promote self-sufficiency are critical and proven steps toward violence-free lives.”

The Department of Justice is awarding $248,500 to Central Pennsylvania Community Action (CPCA) to provide transitional housing units to move victims from shelters into housing, provide short term rental units for permanent housing and conduct safety planning with all clients, including inspection of new housing units to ensure safety devices are properly installed. The organization will also provide employment counseling to address economic issues for victims promoting self-sufficiency, assist with transportation to ensure survivors can access counseling, legal options, supportive services and employment, provide training for personnel working with survivors and address child care issues so survivors may work and continue to live safe, productive lives. CPCA will provide transitional housing to victims in Clearfield County, a rural county located in central Pennsylvania.

The Department of Justice is awarding $428,286 to Domestic Violence Center of Chester County (DVCCC) to enhance services for victims of abuse in DVCCC’s transitional housing units. The funds will support counseling, advocacy and childcare services, increase the availability of transitional housing through renovations of existing housing and provide short term rental and utility assistance. In addition the funds will be used to create and maintain jobs for personnel that assist victims and assist victims with credit repair and other economic issues and increase the availability of victims to obtain jobs.

The Department of Justice is awarding $485,927 to Domestic Violence Service Center in Wilkes-Barre to provide transitional housing and post-residential follow up services to a total of 54 victims of domestic violence and 63 dependent children during the three year grant period. The center will ensure that participants will successfully complete the program and achieve and sustain safe permanent housing while enrolled in the program. The center will create and retain 2.5 positions to support the program.

The landmark American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, signed into law by President Obama, provides the Justice Department’s Office on Violence Against Women (OVW) with $43 million for the Transitional Housing Assistance Program to provide holistic, victim-centered support services that move individuals into permanent housing.

Transitional housing programs meet the goals of the Recovery Act through employing victim advocates and other personnel to assist victims, renovating housing for victims, offering additional housing units, and increasing job opportunities for victims through training, education and other support services. The award period for these grants is 24-36 months.

OVW, a component of the U.S. Department of Justice, provides leadership in developing the nation’s capacity to reduce violence against women through the implementation of the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) and subsequent legislation. Created in 1995, OVW administers financial and technical assistance to communities across the country that are developing programs, policies and practices aimed at ending domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault and stalking.

More information is available at www.ovw.usdoj.gov.