End Abuse supports member programs and allied professionals in developing housing programs and policies that meet the needs of survivors. A perpetual challenge we know survivors face is the difficulty of achieving long-term economic stability, an aspect of which includes access to safe, affordable housing. This challenge is exacerbated for BIPOC[1] survivors, who often have more barriers to overcome to keep themselves and their children safe. End Abuse develops and enhances relationships between domestic violence programs and housing and homeless service providers in partnership with the Wisconsin Balance of State Continuum of Care (WIBOSCOC). Our involvement on the WIBOSCOC Board of Directors and multiple committees and workgroups helps to ensure HUD-funded housing and homeless service agencies are designing their services and programming with the needs of marginalized survivors in mind.
Domestic Violence Housing First
End Abuse partners with the Wisconsin Department of Children and Families to provide training and technical assistance to nine pilot sites funded through DCF to implement a Domestic Violence Housing First (DVHF) program in their communities. DVHF is an evidence-based practice that does not place any pre-conditions or program participation requirements on survivors to access flexible financial assistance. This enables advocates and survivors in partnership to identify the least intrusive means necessary to obtain or maintain safe and stable housing for the survivor and their children. The foundational premise is that individuals can begin to address other issues in their lives only if and after they have a safe and stable place to call home.
[1] Black, Indigenous, and People of Color
December 2023 Webinar Recording: DV Housing First in Theory and Practice
In December of 2022, Homicide Prevention Program Director Sara Krall and Systems Change Coordinator Tegan Swanson hosted this training discussing DV Housing First, including aspects of the WI DVHF Pilot Sites.
View the webinar here (password: q191.Xp^)and find the PowerPoint slides here.
