Survivor Ventures Housing Stability Program (HSP)

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. Survivor Ventures (SV) will provide short-term, tenant-rented housing and appropriate supportive services to human trafficking victims and their dependents in the Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) of Hampton Roads, Virginia and surrounding cities. This project will extend an existing Housing Stability Program (HSP) to 42 victims of human trafficking and their children. HSP is designed to provide individuals and families with stability and support to gradually and successfully transition into maintaining a tenant-rented permanent housing unit while receiving accompanying supportive services. It allows individuals time to work toward stability, education and employment, while continuing to heal from the traumatic experience of human trafficking. Annually, this project would provide 14 tenant-leased units, spread throughout Hampton Roads, for 14 victims of human trafficking and their dependents. SV pays the full rent for program participants at the beginning of the assistance period and then gradually reduces assistance as the program participant obtains income through employment and/or benefits (e.g. Social Security Disability (SSDI) or food stamps). As a member of the local Continuum of Care (Southeast Virginia Homeless Coalition), SV is able to leverage existing HUD funds to serve more victims of human trafficking by supplementing rental assistance for those who need longer-term support. Strategic partnerships with property management groups, financial institutions, and small businesses have been forged to overcome barriers to housing and employment resulting from victimization, to include criminal records and poor credit. CA/NCF