Womens Advocates Inc

WOMENS ADVOCATES WILL SUPPORT PET-FRIENDLY ELEMENTS IN THE CLEVELAND AVENUE SHELTER EXPANSION PROJECT, WHICH WILL CREATE UP TO 72 NEW SHELTER BEDS FOR TWIN CITIES METRO AREA VICTIM-SURVIVOR FAMILIES OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND THEIR COMPANION ANIMALS. THE EXPANDED WOMEN'S ADVOCATES PET SHELTER PROGRAM WILL ALSO SUPPORT SHELTER RESIDENTS IN OBTAINING PET-FRIENDLY PERMANENT HOUSING THROUGH INTENSIVE HOUSING NAVIGATION SERVICES AND UP TO 24 MONTHS OF FINANCIAL SUPPORT.

THE TRANSITIONAL HOUSING ASSISTANCE GRANTS FOR VICTIMS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, DATING VIOLENCE, SEXUAL ASSAULT, AND STALKING PROGRAM (TRANSITIONAL HOUSING PROGRAM) IS AUTHORIZED BY 34 U.S.C. 12351. THE PRIMARY PURPOSE OF THE TRANSITIONAL HOUSING PROGRAM IS TO AID MINORS, ADULTS, AND THEIR DEPENDENTS WHO ARE HOMELESS, AS DEFINED BY 34 U.S.C. 12473(6), OR IN NEED OF TRANSITIONAL HOUSING OR OTHER HOUSING ASSISTANCE, AS A RESULT OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, DATING VIOLENCE, SEXUAL ASSAULT, OR STALKING, AND FOR WHOM EMERGENCY SHELTER SERVICES OR OTHER CRISIS INTERVENTION SERVICES ARE UNAVAILABLE OR INSUFFICIENT. THE PROGRAM SUPPORTS HOLISTIC, SURVIVOR-CENTERED APPROACHES TO PROVIDING TRANSITIONAL HOUSING AND SUPPORT SERVICES DESIGNED TO ENABLE A MINOR, AN ADULT, OR A DEPENDENT OF SUCH MINOR OR ADULT LOCATE AND SECURE PERMANENT HOUSING, SECURE EMPLOYMENT, AND INTEGRATE INTO A COMMUNITY. WOMENS ADVOCATES IS A NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION LOCATED IN SAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA, AN URBAN REGION OF THE STATE. THE ORGANIZATION WILL PROVIDE 18 SCATTERED SITE RESIDENCES FOR 18 SURVIVORS AND THEIR FAMILIES THROUGH PRIVATE LANDLORD HOUSING UNITS. WOMENS ADVOCATES WILL COLLABORATE WITH ITS PARTNER, DRESS FOR SUCCESS TWIN CITIES TO PROVIDE A HOLISTIC, VICTIM-CENTERED AND MULTIDISCIPLINARY APPROACH TO TRANSITIONAL HOUSING NEEDS IN THE COMMUNITY. THIS CONTINUATION PROJECT WILL USE FUNDS TO PROVIDE BOTH HOUSING AND SUPPORTIVE SERVICES TO MOVE SURVIVORS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, DATING VIOLENCE, SEXUAL ASSAULT, OR STALKING WHO ARE HOMELESS OR IN NEED OF HOUSING ASSISTANCE TO PERMANENT HOUSING. THE PROJECT WILL ASSIST CLIENTS FOR AN ANTICIPATED MINIMUM OF 6 MONTHS AND A MAXIMUM LENGTH OF 24 MONTHS. SERVICES OFFERED WILL FOCUS ON PRIMARILY SERVING UNDERSERVED DOMESTIC VIOLENCE SURVIVORS IN THE REGION. THE GRANT ACTIVITIES WILL BE TAILORED TO MEET THE NEEDS OF THE SURVIVORS. THE RANGE OF OPTIONAL SUPPORT SERVICES INCLUDE CASE MANAGEMENT, RENTAL ASSISTANCE, CHILD AND FAMILY ADVOCACY, SAFETY PLANNING, AND MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES, AND HOUSING ADVOCACY. THE PROJECT WILL ALSO PROVIDE FOLLOW-UP SERVICES FOR AT LEAST 3 MONTHS ONCE PERMANENT HOUSING IS SECURED.

TRANSITIONAL HOUSING PROGRAM

PURPOSE: THE CONTINUUM OF CARE (COC) PROGRAM IS DESIGNED TO PROMOTE COMMUNITY-WIDE COMMITMENT TO THE GOAL OF ENDING HOMELESSNESS; PROVIDE FUNDING FOR EFFORTS BY NONPROFIT PROVIDERS, STATES, AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS TO QUICKLY HOUSE HOMELESS INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES WHILE MINIMIZING THE TRAUMA AND DISLOCATION CAUSED TO HOMELESS INDIVIDUALS, FAMILIES, AND COMMUNITIES BY HOMELESSNESS; PROMOTE ACCESS TO AND EFFECTIVE UTILIZATION OF MAINSTREAM PROGRAMS BY HOMELESS INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES; AND OPTIMIZE SELF-SUFFICIENCY AMONG INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS. THE MOST RECENT COC AWARD ANNOUNCEMENT LISTING AWARDS BY STATE AND COC IS ACCESSIBLE AT HTTPS://WWW.HUD.GOV/PROGRAM_OFFICES/COMM_PLANNING/COC/AWARDS. SELECT THE LINK UNDER THE FUNDING AND AWARD INFORMATION SECTION FOR THE APPROPRIATE FISCAL YEAR.; ACTIVITIES TO BE PERFORMED: CONTINUUM OF CARE PROGRAM FUNDS MAY BE USED TO PAY FOR THE ELIGIBLE COSTS USED TO ESTABLISH AND OPERATE PROJECTS UNDER FIVE PROGRAM COMPONENTS: (1) PERMANENT HOUSING, WHICH INCLUDES PERMANENT SUPPORTIVE HOUSING FOR PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES, AND RAPID REHOUSING; (2) TRANSITIONAL HOUSING; (3) SUPPORTIVE SERVICES ONLY; (4) HOMELESS MANAGEMENT INFORMATION SYSTEMS (HMIS), AND (5) IN SOME CASES, HOMELESSNESS PREVENTION. THIRTEEN TYPES OF ASSISTANCE MAY BE PROVIDED THROUGH THE CONTINUUM OF CARE (COC) PROGRAM: (1) COC PLANNING ACTIVITIES/COSTS FOR DESIGNING AND CARRYING OUT A COLLABORATIVE PROCESS FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF AN APPLICATION TO HUD; (2) UNITED FUNDING AGENCY (UFA) COSTS FOR FISCAL CONTROL AND ACCOUNTING NECESSARY TO ASSURE THE PROPER DISBURSAL OF, AND ACCOUNTING FOR, FEDERAL FUNDS AWARDED TO SUBRECIPIENTS UNDER THE CONTINUUM OF CARE PROGRAM, (3) ACQUISITION OF REAL PROPERTY (INCLUDING STRUCTURES) FOR USE IN THE PROVISION OF HOUSING OR SUPPORTIVE SERVICES; (4) REHABILITATION OF STRUCTURES TO PROVIDE HOUSING OR SUPPORTIVE SERVICES; (5) NEW CONSTRUCTION, INCLUDING THE BUILDING OF A NEW STRUCTURE OR BUILDING AN ADDITION TO AN EXISTING STRUCTURE FOR USE AS SUPPORTIVE HOUSING; (6) LEASING OF A STRUCTURE OR STRUCTURES, OR PORTIONS THEREOF, TO PROVIDE HOUSING OR SUPPORTIVE SERVICES; (7) RENTAL ASSISTANCE, WHICH MAY BE SHORT-TERM, MEDIUM-TERM, OR LONG-TERM, AS WELL AS TENANT-BASED, PROJECT-BASED, OR SPONSOR-BASED, FOR TRANSITIONAL OR PERMANENT HOUSING; (8) SUPPORTIVE SERVICES TO ASSIST PROGRAM PARTICIPANTS OBTAIN AND MAINTAIN HOUSING; (9) OPERATING COSTS OF SUPPORTIVE HOUSING; (10) COSTS OF IMPLEMENTING AND OPERATING HMIS; (11) PROJECT ADMINISTRATIVE COSTS; (12) RELOCATION COSTS; AND (13) INDIRECT COSTS IN ACCORDANCE WITH 2 CFR PARTS 200, AS APPLICABLE. IN ADDITION TO USING GRANT FUNDS FOR THE ELIGIBLE COSTS DESCRIBED ABOVE, RECIPIENTS AND SUBRECIPIENTS IN CONTINUUMS OF CARE DESIGNATED AS HIGH PERFORMING COMMUNITIES MAY ALSO USE GRANT FUNDS TO PROVIDE HOUSING RELOCATION AND STABILIZATION SERVICES AND SHORT- AND/OR MEDIUM-TERM RENTAL ASSISTANCE TO INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES AT RISK OF HOMELESSNESS AS SET FORTH IN 24 CFR 576.103 AND 24 CFR 576.104, IF NECESSARY TO PREVENT THE INDIVIDUAL OR FAMILY FROM BECOMING HOMELESS. LIMITATION ON USE OF FUNDS: NO ASSISTANCE PROVIDED UNDER PROGRAM (OR ANY STATE OR LOCAL GOVERNMENT FUNDS USED TO SUPPLEMENT THIS ASSISTANCE) MAY BE USED TO REPLACE STATE OR LOCAL FUNDS PREVIOUSLY USED, OR DESIGNATED FOR USE, TO ASSIST HOMELESS PERSONS OR PERSONS AT-RISK OF HOMELESSNESS.; EXPECTED OUTCOMES: DECREASE IN THE NUMBER INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS, MORE SPECIFICALLY USING PERFORMANCE INDICATORS SUCH AS THE LENGTH OF TIME HOMELESS, RETURNS TO HOMELESSNESS OVER TIME, AND EXITS TO PERMANENT HOUSING. COC PERFORMANCE PROFILE REPORTS CAN BE FOUND AT HTTPS://WWW.HUDEXCHANGE.INFO/PROGRAMS/COC/COC-PERFORMANCE-PROFILE-REPORTS/.; INTENDED BENEFICIARIES: INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS.; SUBRECIPIENT ACTIVITIES: THE SUBRECIPIENT ACTIVITIES ARE UNKNOWN AT THE TIME OF AWARD.

THIS FUNDING WILL SUPPORT FACILITIES COSTS FOR THE EMERGENCY DOMESTIC VIOLENCE SHELTER, WHICH ANNUALLY PROVIDES SAFETY, BASIC NEEDS, AND CARING SUPPORT AND ADVOCACY TO 125 VICTIM-SURVIVORS AND UP TO 150 OF THEIR CHILDREN.

PURPOSE: THE CONTINUUM OF CARE (COC) PROGRAM IS DESIGNED TO PROMOTE COMMUNITY-WIDE COMMITMENT TO THE GOAL OF ENDING HOMELESSNESS; PROVIDE FUNDING FOR EFFORTS BY NONPROFIT PROVIDERS, STATES, AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS TO QUICKLY HOUSE HOMELESS INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES WHILE MINIMIZING THE TRAUMA AND DISLOCATION CAUSED TO HOMELESS INDIVIDUALS, FAMILIES, AND COMMUNITIES BY HOMELESSNESS; PROMOTE ACCESS TO AND EFFECTIVE UTILIZATION OF MAINSTREAM PROGRAMS BY HOMELESS INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES; AND OPTIMIZE SELF-SUFFICIENCY AMONG INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS. THE MOST RECENT COC AWARD ANNOUNCEMENT LISTING AWARDS BY STATE AND COC IS ACCESSIBLE AT HTTPS://WWW.HUD.GOV/PROGRAM_OFFICES/COMM_PLANNING/COC/AWARDS. SELECT THE LINK UNDER THE FUNDING AND AWARD INFORMATION SECTION FOR THE APPROPRIATE FISCAL YEAR.; ACTIVITIES TO BE PERFORMED: CONTINUUM OF CARE PROGRAM FUNDS MAY BE USED TO PAY FOR THE ELIGIBLE COSTS USED TO ESTABLISH AND OPERATE PROJECTS UNDER FIVE PROGRAM COMPONENTS: (1) PERMANENT HOUSING, WHICH INCLUDES PERMANENT SUPPORTIVE HOUSING FOR PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES, AND RAPID REHOUSING; (2) TRANSITIONAL HOUSING; (3) SUPPORTIVE SERVICES ONLY; (4) HOMELESS MANAGEMENT INFORMATION SYSTEMS (HMIS), AND (5) IN SOME CASES, HOMELESSNESS PREVENTION. THIRTEEN TYPES OF ASSISTANCE MAY BE PROVIDED THROUGH THE CONTINUUM OF CARE (COC) PROGRAM: (1) COC PLANNING ACTIVITIES/COSTS FOR DESIGNING AND CARRYING OUT A COLLABORATIVE PROCESS FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF AN APPLICATION TO HUD; (2) UNITED FUNDING AGENCY (UFA) COSTS FOR FISCAL CONTROL AND ACCOUNTING NECESSARY TO ASSURE THE PROPER DISBURSAL OF, AND ACCOUNTING FOR, FEDERAL FUNDS AWARDED TO SUBRECIPIENTS UNDER THE CONTINUUM OF CARE PROGRAM, (3) ACQUISITION OF REAL PROPERTY (INCLUDING STRUCTURES) FOR USE IN THE PROVISION OF HOUSING OR SUPPORTIVE SERVICES; (4) REHABILITATION OF STRUCTURES TO PROVIDE HOUSING OR SUPPORTIVE SERVICES; (5) NEW CONSTRUCTION, INCLUDING THE BUILDING OF A NEW STRUCTURE OR BUILDING AN ADDITION TO AN EXISTING STRUCTURE FOR USE AS SUPPORTIVE HOUSING; (6) LEASING OF A STRUCTURE OR STRUCTURES, OR PORTIONS THEREOF, TO PROVIDE HOUSING OR SUPPORTIVE SERVICES; (7) RENTAL ASSISTANCE, WHICH MAY BE SHORT-TERM, MEDIUM-TERM, OR LONG-TERM, AS WELL AS TENANT-BASED, PROJECT-BASED, OR SPONSOR-BASED, FOR TRANSITIONAL OR PERMANENT HOUSING; (8) SUPPORTIVE SERVICES TO ASSIST PROGRAM PARTICIPANTS OBTAIN AND MAINTAIN HOUSING; (9) OPERATING COSTS OF SUPPORTIVE HOUSING; (10) COSTS OF IMPLEMENTING AND OPERATING HMIS; (11) PROJECT ADMINISTRATIVE COSTS; (12) RELOCATION COSTS; AND (13) INDIRECT COSTS IN ACCORDANCE WITH 2 CFR PARTS 200, AS APPLICABLE. IN ADDITION TO USING GRANT FUNDS FOR THE ELIGIBLE COSTS DESCRIBED ABOVE, RECIPIENTS AND SUBRECIPIENTS IN CONTINUUMS OF CARE DESIGNATED AS HIGH PERFORMING COMMUNITIES MAY ALSO USE GRANT FUNDS TO PROVIDE HOUSING RELOCATION AND STABILIZATION SERVICES AND SHORT- AND/OR MEDIUM-TERM RENTAL ASSISTANCE TO INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES AT RISK OF HOMELESSNESS AS SET FORTH IN 24 CFR 576.103 AND 24 CFR 576.104, IF NECESSARY TO PREVENT THE INDIVIDUAL OR FAMILY FROM BECOMING HOMELESS. LIMITATION ON USE OF FUNDS: NO ASSISTANCE PROVIDED UNDER PROGRAM (OR ANY STATE OR LOCAL GOVERNMENT FUNDS USED TO SUPPLEMENT THIS ASSISTANCE) MAY BE USED TO REPLACE STATE OR LOCAL FUNDS PREVIOUSLY USED, OR DESIGNATED FOR USE, TO ASSIST HOMELESS PERSONS OR PERSONS AT-RISK OF HOMELESSNESS.; EXPECTED OUTCOMES: DECREASE IN THE NUMBER INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS, MORE SPECIFICALLY USING PERFORMANCE INDICATORS SUCH AS THE LENGTH OF TIME HOMELESS, RETURNS TO HOMELESSNESS OVER TIME, AND EXITS TO PERMANENT HOUSING. COC PERFORMANCE PROFILE REPORTS CAN BE FOUND AT HTTPS://WWW.HUDEXCHANGE.INFO/PROGRAMS/COC/COC-PERFORMANCE-PROFILE-REPORTS/.; INTENDED BENEFICIARIES: INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS.; SUBRECIPIENT ACTIVITIES: THE SUBRECIPIENT ACTIVITIES ARE UNKNOWN AT THE TIME OF AWARD.

WOMENS ADVOCATES (WA) IS REQUESTING FUNDING TO SUPPORT OUR PET FOSTER PROGRAM. THIS PROGRAM WAS STARTED IN MARCH 2023 TO PROVIDE SAFE FOSTER CARE FOR THE COMPANION ANIMALS OF VICTIM-SURVIVORS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE WHO ARE SEEKING SHELTER AND SAFETY IN OUR PROGRAMMING. IN PARTNERSHIP WITH SECONDHAND HOUNDS, A TWIN CITIES-BASED PET RESCUE PROGRAM, WA HAS IDENTIFIED OVER 100 SUPPORTERS IN OUR COMMUNITY WILLING TO FOSTER AND CARE FOR THESE ANIMALS WHILE THEIR OWNER(S) STAY IN OUR EMERGENCY SHELTER. WHEN A VICTIM-SURVIVOR CALLS OUR SHELTER AND REQUESTS A SAFE PLACE FOR THEIR PET TO STAY, WA STAFF CONTACTS A LIST OF SHORT-TERM FOSTERS WHO HAVE AGREED TO BE ON CALL TO CARE FOR ANIMALS FOR 24-48 HOURS WHILE MORE PERMANENT ARRANGEMENTS ARE MADE. DURING THAT TIME, WA STAFF CONTACTS OUR LONG-TERM FOSTER LIST, ARRANGES TRANSFER OF THE ANIMAL TO THE FOSTER, AND SECONDHAND HOUNDS PROVIDES THE ANIMAL VET CARE AND TRAINING, FOOD, AND SUPPORT TO THE FOSTER DURING THE PETS STAY. WA AND SECONDHAND HOUNDS TAKE SPECIAL CARE TO WA WORKS TO KEEP THE ANIMALS AND VOLUNTEERS SAFE FROM THE OWNERS ABUSER IN SEVERAL WAYS. ALL COMMUNICATION TO THE PUBLIC REGARDING THE ANIMAL, INCLUDING SOLICITATIONS FOR FOSTERS, USE A LOOK-ALIKE IMAGE RATHER THAN THE DOGS REAL PHOTO AS WELL AS AN ALIAS. ALL FOSTERS MUST AGREE NOT TO TAKE THE ANIMAL TO DOG PARKS OR LARGE COMMUNITY EVENTS WHERE THEY MIGHT BE RECOGNIZED. VICTIM-SURVIVORS WILL NOT MEET OR INTERACT WITH THEIR PETS FOSTERS TO ENSURE THEIR VOLUNTEER WORK IS KEPT CONFIDENTIAL. WA PROVIDES DV-SPECIFIC TRAINING TO FOSTER FAMILIES TO MAKE SURE THEY UNDERSTAND THE IMPORTANCE OF ALL OF THESE MEASURES TO EVERYONES SAFETY. IF FUNDED, WA WILL BE ABLE TO DOUBLE THE CURRENT CAPACITY OF OUR PROGRAM TO SERVING UP TO FOUR PETS AT ANY GIVEN TIME, ALLOWING MORE VICTIM-SURVIVORS TO GET TO SAFETY THAN EVER BEFORE.

HOMELESS ASSISTANCE