Webinar
NFHTA Forum | Violence Against Women Act, Part 2: Legal Protections for Survivors
January 18, 2023 | 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM EST
Online
Description
"It is critical as you work with survivors that you make sure that you are also partnering with victim service providers who can offer crisis intervention and trauma-informed services and also for all of us to keep in mind that survivors are not a monolith. Survivors experience and respond to violence differently based on their backgrounds and unique circumstances."
Karlo Ng, Director on Gender Based Violence Prevention and Equity, Office of the Secretary, HUD
On October 1, 2022, the Violence Against Women Act Reauthorization Act of 2022 (VAWA 2022) went into effect. VAWA 2022 amended and strengthened the law's housing protections for survivors of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking ("survivors"). Later that month, NFHTA launched this forum series designed to highlight the intersections of gender-based violence, the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA), and fair housing. During the October forum, Violence Against Women Act, Part 1: Understanding Survivors' Experiences, experts discussed best practices for working with and supporting survivors using an intersectional lens and the societal power dynamics that uniquely shape their experiences with and responses to violence.
This second forum in the series familiarized participants with VAWA's legal protections in housing for survivors. This includes both existing VAWA protections and new protections, which include the right to report crime and emergencies and a prohibition against retaliation. They also include expanded authority for HUD and the Department of Justice (DOJ) to enforce VAWA's housing title. This new enforcement authority permits HUD to accept, investigate, conciliate, and resolve complaints under VAWA 2022, as it does under the Fair Housing Act. This forum offers resources and best practices for identifying VAWA legal issues in housing and referring survivors who wish to file complaints with HUD. Ultimately, forum attendees are better informed and equipped to work with and for survivors and to share knowledge and resources with others in their organizations and agencies. Over 1322 fair housing partners joined the conversation.
Overview
- Welcome from moderator, Cashauna Hill, Executive Director at the Louisiana Fair Housing Action Center
- Opening remarks by Karlo Ng, Director on Gender Based Violence Prevention and Equity, Office of the Secretary, HUD
- Introduction of panelists:
- Hannah Gordon, Trial Attorney, HUD's Office of General Counsel, Fair Housing Compliance Division
- Alexandria Lippincott, Trial Attorney, HUD's Office of General Counsel, Fair Housing Enforcement Division
- Larisa Kofman, J.D, Partner, Enfuse Action Collective, LLC
- Kate Walz, Associate Director of Litigation, National Housing Law Project (NHLP)
- Presentation and discussion by panelists on:
- Background on VAWA as implemented by HUD
- Recent federal registrar notice
- The complaint process and overlap with VAWA
- Hypotheticals to identify VAWA cases
- How to file a complaint with HUD
- Housing protections under VAWA
- Potential legal remedies for survivors under VAWA
- Common VAWA legal issues and housing scenarios
- Question and answer session moderated by Ms. Hill
A video of the forum has been posted on this page, along with a transcript of the conversation and a robust resources list for your continued reference.
Learning Objectives
- Understand VAWA's housing protections and remedies for survivors
- Develop working knowledge of HUD FHEO's new enforcement authority, including complaint filing and investigative processes, under VAWA
- Identify potential legal remedies for survivors under VAWA
- Recognize common VAWA legal issues and scenarios in housing, so as to be able to direct survivors to access appropriate assistance
Audience
This forum is targeted to HUD-funded fair housing organizations (i.e., FHIP and FHAP professionals), fair housing partners (e.g., legal service providers and civil rights advocates), and others in housing, advocacy, survivor services, mental health services, and law enforcement.
Materials
NFHTA Q&A: Violence Against Women Act, Part 1: Understanding Survivors' Experiences
Date Published: January 2023
This document answers questions frequently asked during the NFHTA October 2022 Forum: Violence Against Women Act, Part 1: Understanding Survivors' Experiences.
NFHTA Video Bites: Violence Against Women Act: Understanding Survivors' Experiences, Episode 1
Date Published: January 2023
This video clip is a segment from the October 2022 NFHTA forum "Violence Against Women Act, Part 1: Understanding Survivors' Experiences". In this clip, Cristina Cortes, Survivor Services Program Manager with the Los Angeles City Community Investment for Families Department, discusses how critical training is for staff, especially those who are new. She goes on to talk about managing a survivor's expectations by providing updates consistently and regularly. Cristina concludes by emphasizing the importance of maintaining survivors' records, documentation, and overall confidentiality.
Please note that that this forum clip features information and examples that represent the experiences of the speaker. Comments do not necessarily reflect the policies of HUD.
Date Published: February 1, 2023
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) announced new resources to advance housing protections for survivors of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking under the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA). These resources include a new VAWA website, a Notice setting out HUD's enforcement authority under VAWA, and up to $5 million in funding to provide VAWA training and technical assistance to HUD grantees and other stakeholders.
Date Published: January 17, 2023
This webpage contains the language of the Housing Rights subpart in full. This subpart provides certain housing protections for survivors of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking and protects an individual's right to seek law enforcement or emergency assistance without penalty.
Housing And Civil Enforcement (HCE) Section Overview (justice.gov)
The Housing and Civil Enforcement Section Overview page outlines the statutes that the HCE section of the US Department of Justice enforces.
Date Published: January 4, 2023
This document highlights the key changes made by the recently enacted Violence Against Women Act Reauthorization Act of 2022 (VAWA 2022) to the Violence Against Women Act of 1994, as amended, provides an overview of key provisions applicable to HUD programs, and explains HUD's plans to issue rules or guidance to implement VAWA 2022. In addition, this document seeks comment from HUD housing providers, grantees, and other interested members of the public on this document generally and on certain issues. Comments received in response to this solicitation will aid HUD in developing additional regulations and guidance.
White House: Fact Sheet: Reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA)
Date Published: March 16, 2022
This White House fact sheet details how VAWA 2022 Reauthorization builds on and strengthens VAWA.
VAWA 2022 Reauthorization: Section-by-Section Summary
Date Published: February 9, 2022
See the summary of Title VI - Safe Homes for Victims on page 7.
Date Published: November 16, 2016
This final rule implements in HUD's regulations the requirements of the 2013 reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA), which applies for all victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking, regardless of sex, gender identity, or sexual orientation, and which must be applied consistent with all nondiscrimination and fair housing requirements.
Department of Justice (DOJ): Office on Violence Against Women
This DOJ webpage contains linked resources and descriptions of OVW's work.
The National Housing Law Project (NHLP)
The National Housing Law Project (NHLP) provides numerous webinar trainings and resources on the housing provisions of the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA), the Fair Housing Act, and state law housing protections for survivors of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking.
Domestic Violence Counts: 16th Annual Report
Date Published: March 21, 2022
For the sixteenth consecutive year, on September 9, 2021, the National Network to End Domestic Violence (NNEDV) conducted our Domestic Violence Counts Survey: a one-day, unduplicated count of adults and children seeking domestic violence services in the United States. This annual survey documents the number of people who sought services in a single 24-hour period, as well as the types of services requested, the number of service requests that went unmet due to a lack of resources, and the issues and barriers that domestic violence programs face as they strive to provide services to victims of domestic violence.
Date Published: September 12, 2016
This guidance explains how the growing number of local nuisance and crime-free housing ordinances may subject survivors to discrimination under the Fair Housing Act. While the guidance pre-dates VAWA 2022 and thus is limited to discussion under the Fair Housing Act, it may be helpful to understanding such ordinances for purposes of VAWA 2022's provision protecting people's right to report crime.
VAWA Resources For Multifamily Assisted Housing
HUD's Office of Multifamily Housing Programs website provides links to HUD VAWA forms for survivors and advocates as well as other VAWA-related HUD information and guidance specifically for multifamily housing properties.
Date Published: May 19, 2017
This notice provides guidance to Public Housing Agencies (PHAs) and owners on the requirements of the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2013: Implementation in HUD Housing Programs, Final Rule, published in the Federal Register on November 16, 2016, (81 Fed. Reg. 80724 (November 16, 2016)) (VAWA Final Rule) with respect to the Public Housing and Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) programs. This notice does not encompass every aspect of the VAWA Final Rule and should be used in conjunction with the VAWA Final Rule.
Date Published: June 30, 2017
This notice provides guidance to owners and management agents (O/As) of HUD multifamily assisted housing on the requirements of the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2013: Implementation in HUD Housing Programs, Final Rule, published in the Federal Register on November 16, 2016, (81 Fed. Reg. 80724 (November 16, 2016)) (VAWA Final Rule). This notice does not encompass every aspect of the VAWA Final Rule and should be used in conjunction with the VAWA Final Rule.
Calling 911 Shouldn't Lead to an Eviction
Date Published: March 15, 2022
This article authored by Sandra Park, Senior Staff Attorney with ACLU Women's Rights Project, discusses how the reauthorization of the VAWA will help ensure that people who report emergencies don't get evicted as a result.
SILENCED: How Nuisance Ordinances Punish Crime Victims in New York
Date Published: June 2015
This report was issued by the ACLU Women's Rights Project, in partnership with the Social Science Research Council. Published in 2015, this report discusses the growing national trend at that time of local nuisance ordinances, their often-unintended consequences on both individuals and public safety as a whole, and the legal liability municipalities faced when enforcing them. Additionally, the report explores how these ordinances impacted residents in communities across New York where they were implemented and enforced. This report also outlined how nuisance ordinances created consequences for victims of crime, survivors of domestic violence, persons with disabilities, communities of color, and communities as a whole.
Safe Housing Partnerships Website
This website, Safe Housing Partnerships, highlights the Domestic Violence and Housing Technical Assistance Consortium (the Consortium). This project is sponsored under awards from the Administration for Children and Families at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the Office on Violence Against Women and the Office for Victims of Crime at the U.S. Department of Justice, and the Office of Special Needs Assistance Programs at the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. The interagency collaboration established this domestic violence and housing technical assistance consortium to provide national domestic violence and housing training and resource development. Funded by the Consortium, the Safe Housing Partnerships website offers data, research, and resources related to the intersectionality of gender-based violence, housing, and homelessness.
The National Domestic Violence Hotline
Twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year, the National Domestic Violence Hotline provides essential tools and support to help survivors of domestic violence so they can live their lives free of abuse.
National Network to End Domestic Violence
The National Network to End Domestic Violence (NNEDV) is dedicated to creating a social, political, and economic environment in which violence against women no longer exists. NNEDV's vision is to make domestic violence a national priority, change the way society responds to domestic violence, and strengthen domestic violence advocacy at every level.
Ujima, Inc.: The National Center on Violence Against Women in the Black Community
Ujima, Inc: The National Center on Violence Against Women in the Black Community is a national, culturally-specific resource center that provides support to and is a voice for the Black Community in response to domestic, sexual, and community violence. Ujima's resource page includes links to webinars on a range of topics, including how culturally specific organizations can engage with their local continuums of care and the intersectionality of racism, domestic violence, and sexual assault.
The National Organization of Sisters of Color Ending Sexual Assault (SCESA)
The National Organization of Sisters of Color Ending Sexual Assault (SCESA) is an advocacy organization dedicated to supporting and advocating for Women of Color and Communities of Color. SCESA's resource page provides links to sexual assault organizations serving survivors in the Asian Pacific Islander, Black/African American, Latina and Native communities. SCESA's purpose is to give voice and develop action strategies that incorporate and address the experiences and realities of Women of Color and Communities of Color.
Asian Pacific Institute on Gender-Based Violence (API)
The Asian Pacific Institute on Gender-Based Violence (API) is a national training and technical assistance provider and a clearinghouse on gender violence in Asian, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander communities. API's website provides a collection of resources related to domestic violence, sexual assault, safety planning, and other related topics in Asian and Pacific Islander languages and culturally specific information on a range of advocacy topics.
Esperanza United offers training, technical assistance, and critical resources to help support Latina survivors, families, and communities to gain greater safety, connectedness, and self-sufficiency.
National LGBTQ Institute on Intimate Partner Violence
The Los Angeles LGBT Center has launched the National LGBTQ Institute on Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) to deliver training and technical assistance for public and private agencies to provide culturally relevant, survivor-centered LGBTQ IPV intervention and prevention services, including to LGBTQ persons from racially and ethnically diverse communities.
The National Indigenous Women's Resource Center's Tribal Safe Housing Center
The National Indigenous Women's Resource Center's Tribal Safe Housing Center resource page provides culturally rooted resources to support Tribes, Tribal programs, and advocates working to address the intersection of housing instability/homeless and gender-based violence.
Improving Safe Housing Access for Domestic Violence Survivors Through Systems Change
Date Published: September 2021
This study examined an innovative approach employed by Los Angeles County's homeless system to help survivors navigate between housing and homelessness (H/H), coordinated entry (CE), and domestic violence (DV) service systems to access safe housing through the deployment of DV coordinators as systems change agents. Factors contributing to the successes and challenges of the program are examined, along with considerations for program replication.
"Nuisance": How Chronic Nuisance Ordinances Push Residents with Disabilities out of their Homes
Date Published: 2019
An article in the Harvard Civil Rights-Civil Liberties Law Review on the impact of chronic nuisance ordinances on people with disabilities states that "Individuals with disabilities often require emergency services, such as suicide hotlines, to get assistance with medical issues that result from their disability. Crime-free programs and nuisance Property Ordinances force people with physical or mental disabilities to make an impossible choice between calling 911 and risking eviction or foregoing medical assistance in a crisis."
Silencing Women's Voices: Nuisance Property Laws and Battered Women
Date Published: 2015
This study utilized qualitative data collected from interviews with police, prosecutors, and advocates for survivors of domestic violence in St. Louis from 2010 to 2012. The authors, Gretchen Arnold and Megan Slusser, used the data to examine "how the organizational structures and dynamics within which each group works give rise to different stocks of working knowledge." Further, the study "reveals mechanisms through which law enforcement policies reinforce gender inequality, and illustrates some ways in which gender relations and power come into play in what, on their surface, appear to be gender-neutral laws."
Unpolicing the Urban Poor: Consequences of Third-Party Policing for Inner-City Women
Date Published: 2012
A study conducted of Milwaukee, WI's ordinance concluded that calls about domestic violence were the third most common reason for a nuisance citation. In 83% of cases where landlords received a citation, they evicted or threatened to evict the survivor if they called the police again. Moreover, a tenant living in a black neighborhood was three times more likely to receive a nuisance citation compared to a tenant in a white neighborhood who had also violated the ordinance. This study also found that 261 incidents of domestic violence appeared in 157 citations, which meant that every 4.6 days, a Milwaukee property owner received a citation listing at least one count of domestic violence. Of these domestic violence incidents, 81 percent involved a female victim, 88 percent involved a male perpetrator, showing females were adversely impacted by this law.
Doubly Victimized: Housing Discrimination Against Victims of Domestic Violence
Date Published: 2003
This American University Journal of Gender Social Policy and Law articled written by Leonora M. Lapidus "discussed housing discrimination against victim of domestic violence and potential legal theories and advocacy efforts that can be used to combat it."
Hannah Gordon
Trial Attorney
HUD's Office of General Counsel, Fair Housing Compliance Division
Panelist
Alexandria Lippincott
Trial Attorney
HUD's Office of General Counsel, Fair Housing Enforcement Division
Panelist
About the Forums
Forums are online conversations designed to allow multi-directional interactions between HUD and its FHIP and FHAP partners around emerging fair housing issues regarding processing complaints, conducting investigations, and managing agencies. Topics will evolve based on partner needs and interests.
Disclaimer: The National Fair Housing Forum webinar series provides training by and to HUD partners, including entities and persons participating in HUD's FHAP Program and FHIP Program. The series offers multidirectional idea sharing in real-time. The views offered by speakers and participants do not necessarily reflect HUD's views. Similarly, unless otherwise noted, documents provided as part of the webinar were created and maintained by other public and private organizations and may not reflect HUD's official position. HUD-produced guidance documents, except when based on statutory or regulatory authority or law, do not have the force and effect of law and are not meant to bind the public in any way. Such guidance documents are intended only to provide clarity to the public regarding existing requirements under the law or HUD policies. The information is not intended to provide legal advice to any individual or entity. Please refer to relevant laws and regulations and/or your own legal advisor before taking any action based on information appearing on this site or any site to which it may be linked. Some materials have been translated into languages other than English; slight variations may have resulted from the translation.
Tags: Fair Housing VAWA NFHTA