Intro to the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA): Protections for Survivors in Subsidized Housing
The Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) is a federal law that provides housing protections for survivors of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking. VAWA protections create ways to safety for survivors so they don't need to choose between their subsidized housing and their safety. Here are key points to know about VAWA:
- Who is protected: Survivors of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking who live in or applying to federally-subsidized housing.
- This includes Public Housing, the Housing Choice Voucher Program, the Project-Base Voucher Program, Section 8, and others. For a list of the covered HUD programs, click here.
- VAWA also covers people who are affiliated with survivors: immediate family, legal guardians, and people who they live with and are related to.
- VAWA Protections: Survivors cannot be denied housing or assistance based on adverse factors related to the violence they have experienced. They have the right to request emergency transfers if their unit is unsafe because of violence. To read more about VAWA protections, click here.
- Enforcing the Law: If a survivor believes that the housing provider violated VAWA, they can file a complaint with HUD’s Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity.
Although its name implies that it applies only to women, VAWA protects all survivors, regardless of their sex, gender identity, or sexual orientation AND regardless of the sex, gender identity or sexual orientation of the person who caused harm.
To read through a list of common questions from survivors to stay safe, click here.
The above article provides information about legal issues but is not the same as legal advice. Legal advice is when a lawyer applies the law to your specific situation. The information in this article does not replace the advice or representation of a licensed attorney. Law Center for Better Housing cannot guarantee the accuracy or completeness of the information in this article and is not responsible for any consequences that may result from using it. You should consult with a licensed attorney to ensure the information in this article is appropriate for your specific situation. Using the information in this article does not create a relationship between Law Center for Better Housing and you as your attorney.