Hopeful Horizons

LEGAL SERVICES FOR VICTIMS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE

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 PROVIDE AID TO VICTIMS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, DATING VIOLENCE, SEXUAL ASSAULT, AND STALKING 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 THEIR VICTIMIZATION, 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 THAT MOVE INDIVIDUALS INTO PERMANENT HOUSING AND HELP THEM SECURE EMPLOYMENT AND INTEGRATE INTO A COMMUNITY. HOPEFUL HORIZONS INC IS A NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION LOCATED IN BEAUFORT, SOUTH CAROLINA, A RURAL REGION OF THE STATE. THE ORGANIZATION WILL PROVIDE 10 SCATTERED SITE RESIDENCES FOR 10-18 SURVIVORS AND THEIR FAMILIES THROUGH PRIVATE LANDLORD HOUSING UNITS. HOPEFUL HORIZONS INC WILL COLLABORATE WITH ITS TWO PARTNERS, THE BEAUFORT HOUSING AUTHORITY (BHA) AND BLUFFTON SELF-HELP (BSH) 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. THE GRANT ACTIVITIES WILL BE TAILORED TO MEET THE NEEDS OF THE SURVIVORS. THE RANGE OF OPTIONAL SUPPORT SERVICES INCLUDES: RENTAL AND UTILITY ASSISTANCE, CASE MANAGEMENT, SAFETY PLANNING, TRANSPORTATION, FINANCIAL LITERACY, JOB AND CAREER COUNSELING, DIGITAL LITERACY, ADULT EDUCATION PROGRAMMING, SUPPORT GROUPS, COUNSELING, LEGAL ASSISTANCE, EVIDENCE-BASED TRAUMA TREATMENT HOUSING ADVOCACY. THE PROJECT WILL ALSO HIRE 3 ADDITIONAL STAFF MEMBERS TO IMPLEMENT THE PROGRAM AND PROVIDE FOLLOW-UP SERVICES FOR AT LEAST 12 MONTHS ONCE PERMANENT HOUSING IS SECURED.

THE LEGAL ASSISTANCE FOR VICTIMS (LAV) GRANT (LAV) PROGRAM, AUTHORIZED BY 34 U.S.C. § 20121, INCREASES THE AVAILABILITY OF CIVIL AND CRIMINAL LEGAL ASSISTANCE FOR ADULT AND YOUTH VICTIMS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, DATING VIOLENCE, SEXUAL ASSAULT, AND STALKING BY PROVIDING FUNDS FOR COMPREHENSIVE DIRECT LEGAL SERVICES TO VICTIMS IN LEGAL MATTERS RELATING TO OR ARISING OUT OF THAT ABUSE OR VIOLENCE. “LEGAL ASSISTANCE” INCLUDES ASSISTANCE IN: A) FAMILY, TRIBAL, TERRITORIAL, IMMIGRATION, EMPLOYMENT, ADMINISTRATIVE AGENCY, HOUSING MATTERS, CAMPUS ADMINISTRATIVE, OR PROTECTION OR STAY AWAY ORDER PROCEEDINGS, AND OTHER SIMILAR MATTERS; AND B) CRIMINAL JUSTICE INVESTIGATIONS, PROSECUTIONS, AND POST-TRIAL MATTERS (E.G., SENTENCING, PAROLE, AND PROBATION) THAT IMPACT THE VICTIM’S SAFETY AND PRIVACY. LAV FUNDS PROJECTS THAT IMPLEMENT, EXPAND, AND/OR ESTABLISH THIS COMPREHENSIVE LEGAL ASSISTANCE THROUGH (1) COLLABORATIONS BETWEEN LEGAL ASSISTANCE PROVIDERS AND DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, DATING VIOLENCE, AND SEXUAL ASSAULT VICTIM SERVICE PROVIDERS; (2) EFFORTS BY ORGANIZATIONS WITH A DEMONSTRATED HISTORY OF PROVIDING DIRECT LEGAL OR ADVOCACY SERVICES ON BEHALF OF VICTIMS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, DATING VIOLENCE, SEXUAL ASSAULT, AND STALKING; OR (3) COMPETENT SUPERVISED PRO BONO LEGAL ASSISTANCE. GRANTEES MUST EITHER DEMONSTRATE EXPERTISE ON DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, DATING VIOLENCE, SEXUAL ASSAULT, AND/OR STALKING, OR PARTNER WITH AN ORGANIZATION THAT HAS SUCH EXPERTISE. THE TIMING FOR PERFORMANCE OF THIS AWARD IS 36 MONTHS.

THE LEGAL ASSISTANCE FOR VICTIMS (LAV) GRANT PROGRAM, AUTHORIZED BY 34 U.S.C. 20121, IS INTENDED TO INCREASE THE AVAILABILITY OF CIVIL AND CRIMINAL LEGAL ASSISTANCE NEEDED TO EFFECTIVELY AID VICTIMS (AGES 11 AND OLDER) OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, DATING VIOLENCE, SEXUAL ASSAULT, AND STALKING BY PROVIDING FUNDS FOR COMPREHENSIVE DIRECT LEGAL SERVICES TO VICTIMS IN LEGAL MATTERS RELATING TO OR ARISING OUT OF THAT ABUSE OR VIOLENCE. LEGAL ASSISTANCE INCLUDES ASSISTANCE TO VICTIMS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, DATING VIOLENCE, SEXUAL ASSAULT, AND STALKING IN: A) FAMILY, TRIBAL, TERRITORIAL, IMMIGRATION, EMPLOYMENT, ADMINISTRATIVE AGENCY, HOUSING MATTERS, CAMPUS ADMINISTRATIVE, OR PROTECTION OR STAY AWAY ORDER PROCEEDINGS, AND OTHER SIMILAR MATTERS; B) CRIMINAL JUSTICE INVESTIGATIONS, PROSECUTIONS, AND POST-TRIAL MATTERS (INCLUDING SENTENCING, PAROLE, AND PROBATION) THAT IMPACT THE VICTIMS SAFETY AND PRIVACY; C) ALTERNATIVE DISPUTE RESOLUTION, RESTORATIVE PRACTICES, OR OTHER PROCESSES INTENDED TO PROMOTE VICTIM SAFETY, PRIVACY, AND AUTONOMY; AND D) POST-CONVICTION RELIEF PROCEEDINGS IN STATE, LOCAL, TRIBAL, OR TERRITORIAL COURT WHERE THE CONVICTION OF A VICTIM IS RELATED TO OR ARISING FROM DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, DATING VIOLENCE, SEXUAL ASSAULT, STALKING, OR SEX TRAFFICKING. 34 U.S.C. 12291(A)(24)(C). THROUGH THIS CONTINUATION LEGAL ASSISTANCE FOR VICTIMS PROJECT, HOPEFUL HORIZONS, INC., WILL PROVIDE COMPREHENSIVE CIVIL LEGAL SERVICES TO VICTIMS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, DATING VIOLENCE, STALKING, OR SEXUAL ASSAULT IN BEAUFORT, COLLETON, HAMPTON, AND JASPER COUNTIES IN SOUTH CAROLINA. THIS AWARD IS A CONTINUATION OF 15JOVW-22-GG-00318-LEGA.

TRANSITIONAL HOUSING ASSISTANCE PROGRAM