1. Lee Alcott, M.A., LPAT, ATR-BC Annual Ending Sexual Assault & Domestic Violence Conference December 3, 2015 Lexington, KY

2. To provide an overview of Rapid Rehousing, and its impact on trauma reduction, To highlight effective means to utilize Rapid Rehousing, To identify positive outcomes of Rapid Rehousing for survivors of domestic violence & establish policies based on safety.

3. Domestic Violence is defined as emotionally and/or physically controlling an intimate partner, often involving tactics such as physical assault, stalking, sexual assault and economic abuse.

4. Approximately 1 out of every 4 women will experience domestic violence in her lifetime.

5. 1 in 4 homeless women identify domestic violence as the primary cause of homelessness.

6. When a woman decides to leave an abusive relationship, she often has nowhere to go. Women with limited resources, rural women, disabled women and women with children are more likely to become homeless due to domestic violence.

7. Lack of affordable housing + Lack of living wage + Lack of resources = Choosing between living with an abuser and homelessness.

8. On September 17, 1649 programs (87%) of the identified domestic violence programs in the US participated in the 2013 National Census of Domestic Violence Services. In just one day, 36,348 domestic violence victims found refuge in emergency shelters or transitional housing provided by local domestic violence shelters. On the day of the survey, a total of 66,581 adults and children found refuge and support at DV programs across the nation.

9. Domestic violence shelters in the US were formed beginning in 1973. Kentucky has 15 state funded domestic violence shelters, one in each ADD. Shelters provide immediate safety to battered women, men and their children.

13. RAPID REHOUSING Program was created as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 and places a priority on HOUSING STABILIZATION FOR THE HOMELESS.

14. Rapid Rehousing is part of the HEARTH Act: Homeless Emergency Assistance & Rapid Transition to Housing

15. Philosophy behind concept: To help homeless households return to or obtain permanent housing as soon as possible.

16. This program assists communities in reducing the length of time people remain in homeless shelters and opens beds for others who need them.

18. Housing Stabilization programs are “service enriched” in order to assist participants to obtain housing quickly, maintain housing stability and prevent future episodes of homelessness.

19. A “subconscious outcome” of trauma-informed rapid rehousing is EMPOWERMENT as a formerly homeless individual/household is provided a bridge of support in a journey towards self-sufficiency.

20. HUD defines rapid rehousing as: For individuals and families who are experiencing homelessness and need assistance in order to obtain housing and retain it.

21. HUD also mandates that local Continuums form partnerships to help with housing stabilization.

22. Final result— LONG TERM HOUSING STABILITY SAFETY SELF-SUFFICIENCY

23. How quickly can we re-house homeless victims/survivors of domestic violence and prevent future acts of homelessness and/or incidents of violence?

24. Rapid has no universal definition but HUD assumes “As quickly as possible”. 3 factors to consider for survivors of domestic violence: ▫ Each individual & household has unique needs, ▫ Issues and housing markets vary, ▫ Safety is critical.

26. Once SAFETY is established, it is necessary to assess for ongoing income sufficient to maintain housing after assistance ends.

27. According to a July 2009 report from the National Alliance to End Homelessness, rapid rehousing addresses the two primary obstacles homeless households face in trying to leave a shelter: ▫ Obtaining new rental housing is expensive ▫ Landlords often deny rental application from extremely low income households.

28. Rapid Rehousing removes the burden of rent and utilities for short term or medium term participants.

29. A program must incorporate elements of stabilization & follow-up services in order to assist an individual in maintaining housing once the assistance stops. Rapid Rehousing is a creative approach to meet the unique and critical needs of survivors of domestic violence.