Short-term Housing Assistance and Support Services to Survivors of Trafficking in Los Angeles

The goal of the FY 2020 Housing Assistance Grants for Victims of Human Trafficking Program is to support housing assistance for victims of all forms of human trafficking throughout the United States, as defined by the Trafficking Victims Protection Act (TVPA) of 2000, as amended. Funding through this solicitation supports programs that provide 6 to 24 months of transitional housing with support services to victims of human trafficking who are in need of housing as a result of human trafficking. Funding will be provided over a three-year project period. Through this project, Cast will provide short-term housing assistance and support services to at least 40 victims of human trafficking in Los Angeles. Cast will secure housing through private landlords for clients who are ready to make this transition. Using a ‘sliding scale’ housing assistance model, selected clients will be offered rental assistance and related financial assistance (security deposit, utilities, moving costs) for the first six months of their tenancy, with the potential for a further four months. This will enable victims to acclimatize to independent living and to ready themselves to pay full rent after an agreed period. Cast will offer support services to victims receiving housing assistance in the form of a dedicated Housing Case Manager who will have primary responsibility for providing direct support services to clients under this grant, in order to help them secure permanent housing and employment, and learn life skills in maintaining housing and integrating into their community, for example. They will offer trauma-informed, wraparound services that include health services, social support, education and job training, life skills training and mentorship, safety planning, economic support and job resources, and family reunification. CA/NCF