Chicago Housing Assistance Project for Victims of Human Trafficking

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. The Chicago Department of Family and Support Services (DFSS) and its partner, the Salvation Army will provide housing assistance to victims of both sex and labor trafficking for up to 24 months in a hybrid of site-based, program owned and scattered-site, market-rate owned units in the city of Chicago. DFSS anticipates that 3 site-based and 7 to 10 scattered-site units will serve approximately 18 to 20 victims or more over the three years of funding. Victims will be identified through our partner’s STOP-IT program, which has been conducting outreach and community education on trafficking for over a decade in Chicago. The project will use a housing first model with trauma-informed services and use harm reduction to ensure participant successful transition from victim to survivor. Services provided by Salvation Army will include crisis and emotional counseling; clothing, food, and other necessities; and emergency medical or other healthcare services. Prior to and during housing placement, the victim will receive ongoing case management that includes additional medical, dental or substance use treatment; tattoo or branding removal; education or employment services; financial literacy or life skills; and legal or immigration services. CA/NCF