Every October, in honor of Domestic Violence Awareness Month, we shed light on the fundamental link between domestic violence and housing insecurity. Domestic violence is one of the leading causes of homelessness for women, families, and children, and at Housing Up over 30 percent of the families we serve are survivors of domestic violence. Survivors are faced with distinct barriers when it comes to maintaining stable housing and require a specialized and multi-pronged approach, including flexible affordable housing options and ongoing support services. Abusers often isolate survivors from their family and friends, leaving them without a support system and a clear path forward. At Housing Up, we understand that healing from domestic violence is a complex and nonlinear process, but we hope by providing education and access to resources, we can help survivors take the first step in their journey to freedom and independence.

Choosing Between Safety & Homelessness 

Anyone, regardless of age, race, sexual orientation, or gender, can become a victim of domestic violence. In the US, 1 in 4 women and 1 in 7 men have experienced severe physical violence at the hands of an intimate partner. Domestic violence, however, is not limited to physical abuse, and can involve other behaviors such as emotional, financial, and verbal abuse. The Department of Justice defines domestic violence as, “a pattern of abusive behavior in any relationship that is used by one partner to gain or maintain power and control over another intimate partner.” While men can be victims of domestic violence, women are disproportionately more likely to be impacted. According to the FBI, 75 percent of all victims of violent domestic crimes are women. Overwhelmingly, domestic violence is gender-based violence, deeply rooted in exploiting women’s unequal status in society. Therefore, we cannot address domestic violence without discussing the role that gender inequality plays in shaping these power dynamics. 

Survivors report that lack of affordable housing is one of the primary barriers to leaving abusive partners. Credit and rental histories are often intentionally destroyed by abusers controlling finances and causing damage to properties. Further, survivors are frequently prevented from working and having their own savings, making them financially dependent. As a result, many survivors are forced to choose between staying with their abuser or becoming homeless. In 2025, the National Network to End Domestic Violence (NNEDV) found that the majority of survivors’ unmet requests (58 percent) were for housing, including emergency shelter, transitional housing, hotels, and motels. 

These numbers were even higher in DC, with 78 percent of survivors’ unmet requests being for housing. Domestic violence remains one of the most common life experiences associated with homelessness, particularly family homelessness, in DC. Data from the 2026 Point in Time (PIT) Count revealed that 36 percent of adults in families experiencing homelessness were survivors of domestic violence and 21 percent attributed their current episode of homelessness directly to domestic violence. The strong correlation between domestic violence and housing insecurity adds another layer to the complex picture of addressing homelessness in the US. Creating survivor-centered legislation and housing policies, and making these resources accessible, is imperative to ending homelessness and breaking the cycle of domestic violence. 

Housing Protections & Flexible Approaches 

Knowing what resources are available and how to use them are often some of the greatest obstacles to receiving help. The Violence Against Women Act (VAWA), which was implemented in 1994, protects survivors from being evicted or denied housing because they have experienced domestic violence.VAWA states that the Public Housing Authority (PHA) must ensure that survivors maintain their housing assistance if they are eligible. A key piece of this legislation is that it allows landlords to evict perpetrators while keeping survivors on the lease. Additionally, survivors can request emergency transfers if they feel unsafe remaining in their current housing situation. While VAWA provides crucial safeguards for survivors, it is restricted to federally funded housing programs and does not afford survivors living in market-rate housing the same assistance.  

There is no one-size-fits-all housing approach for survivors of domestic violence. The unpredictable nature of abuse means that survivors can become homeless without warning. Although the ultimate goal is to place survivors in permanent housing, emergency and transitional housing are sometimes necessary, particularly when there is an imminent threat of danger. After the basic needs of safety and shelter are met, then survivors can focus on rebuilding their lives. 

How We Support Survivors at Housing Up 

This summer, we spoke with Lucky, a client who recently left an abusive marriage and moved into one of Housing Up’s affordable housing communities, Webster Gardens. When asked about her experience she said,

“Having somewhere affordable to live, I don’t have to constantly be in survival mode anymore, or stressed out, or filled with constant anxiety. It will give my son an idea of what a home is supposed to be.”

At Housing Up, we recognize that even though families are no longer experiencing homelessness, many are just beginning their path to healing. Providing ongoing trauma-informed support is an essential to the work we do at Housing Up, and is what makes us unique as an organization. Every family we serve is matched with a case manager who works with each member to identify their individual needs and goals. Our resident services team also offers on-site and low-barrier support, including safe spaces to ask for help. To learn more about how we support survivors and help DC families transform their lives, watch Lucky’s full story below.

Are you or someone you know experiencing domestic violence? You are not alone, and help is available: 

• National Hotline: 800.799.SAFE (7233)
• Full List of DC’s Domestic Violence Resources 
• Maryland Network Against Domestic Violence 
• Virginia Sexual & Domestic Violence Action Alliance