Turning Housing into Freedom: How Affordable Housing Can Empower Survivors of Domestic Violence
October is National Domestic Violence Awareness Month and at Housing Up, we are honoring survivors and their stories by examining the link between housing insecurity and domestic violence. Addressing domestic violence is closely connected to the work we do at Housing Up and is central to our mission of ending family homelessness in the District. Domestic violence is the leading cause of homelessness for women and families in the US, and extensive research shows that the lack of affordable housing is a key contributor to domestic violence survivors experiencing homelessness. At Housing Up, one-third of the families we serve have experienced domestic violence. We know that once the basic need of safe housing is met, families can be given the space and resources to process their trauma. Recent studies indicate that affordable housing programs, in combination with wraparound services, can help lower the rate and severity of revictimization while empowering survivors to become more financially independent and begin their path to healing.
Domestic Violence & Housing Insecurity
The Office on Violence Against Women (OVW) defines domestic violence as “a pattern of abusive behaviors used by one partner to maintain power and control over another partner in an intimate relationship.” While anyone can be a victim of domestic violence, regardless of their age, race, gender, religion, economic status, or sexual orientation, women, particularly women of color, disproportionately experience domestic violence and domestic violence-related homicide. Domestic violence is a pervasive problem with profound impacts on individuals, families, and society, with one in four women experiencing it in their lifetime. Thanks to advocacy efforts, domestic violence has increasingly entered the public consciousness over the past several decades. Yet even today, harmful misconceptions persist, one of the most common being, “Why doesn’t she leave?”
There are a multitude of complex reasons victims of domestic violence may remain with an abusive partner, including fear for safety, emotional connection, children, financial dependence, isolation, and stigma. For many victims, high housing costs present a substantial barrier to leaving an abusive relationship. According to the National Coalition for the Homeless, 45 percent of all domestic violence survivors had previously stayed with an abusive partner because they had no other housing options. Abusers often control finances, limit access to resources, forbid employment, and isolate victims from their social networks, leaving women economically dependent on their abusive partners. With little financial stability of their own, survivors are faced with the impossible decision of remaining in the abusive relationship or living without shelter.
Statistics show that 38 percent of all domestic violence victims will become homeless at some point in their lives. Survivors of domestic violence are frequently denied on their rental applications due to the actions of their abusers, such as prior evictions and property damage. Low-income women—particularly women of color, who are more likely to be rent-burdened and earn lower incomes due to racial inequality and discrimination—are especially vulnerable to housing instability. Leaving an abusive situation is usually sudden and urgent, necessitating immediate access to emergency housing and support services. The shortage of affordable housing and insufficient federal funding not only pose major obstacles for survivors seeking safe housing, but also serve as a primary deterrent to leaving abusive relationships, further perpetuating the cycles of violence.
Housing as a Path to Healing
A 2019 study conducted at The House of Ruth Maryland, a local domestic violence organization, underscores the powerful role housing plays in transforming survivors’ lives. The study focused on survivors who were provided with rapid rehousing (RRH) and transitional housing at The House of Ruth, Maryland. While the survivors’ contact with their partners remained unchanged throughout the study period, data revealed significant reductions in the frequency and severity of domestic violence, as well as perceived risk of abuse and financial dependence on abusive partners. While other approaches to domestic violence often require survivors to sever ties with their abuser, the Housing First approach recognizes the intricacies of domestic violence. Sometimes, especially if children are involved, it is not always possible to completely separate from abusive partners. Providing safe housing to survivors of domestic violence prioritizes the needs of survivors and disrupts the cycle of housing instability and revictimization. The path to healing for survivors of domestic abuse is rarely linear and can take many years. At Housing Up, we understand how trauma can impact families and create barriers to stability. Once the families we serve are housed, we assign them a dedicated case worker who can help them access the resources and support network they need to thrive.
Local Domestic Violence Organizations:
If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, help is available. Call the DC Victim Hotline at 1-844-443-5732 or chat with someone at dcvictim.org.