​Domestic violence is the leading cause of homelessness for women and children in the United States. More than 90 percent of homeless women experience severe physical or sexual violence at some point in their lives.

With a statewide rental vacancy rate at less than 1% across NH, the lack of safe and affordable housing is regularly reported as one of the primary barriers survivors face when trying to leave an abusive partner. 
 
Safe and secure housing does more than protect survivors from interpersonal violence. It also serves to support survivors to obtain economic independence and security for their families, as well as contribute to ending the cycle of poverty. Escaping interpersonal violence often leaves survivors housing and financially insecure, a vulnerability that is exasperated for many populations. Due to financial abuse they’ve experienced, survivors often lack financial resources, may have poor landlord references or credit scores, and are under or not employed. All of these present barriers to accessing housing units, especially in such a competitive rental market.

Housing Programs

Housing Access
In 2017, the Coalition was awarded funding to implement a statewide Housing Access Program, which created specialized housing advocacy positions at 11 of the Coalition’s member programs. These housing advocates provide critical services for survivors of violence to obtain and maintain safe housing. The Coalition supports this program by providing training and technical assistance to housing advocates as well as fostering statewide partnerships to improve housing systems survivors interface with.
 
The Housing Access approach focuses on getting survivors into stable housing as quickly as possible, and then providing the necessary support as they rebuild their lives. Key components of Housing Access program, based off the model developed at the Washington State Coalition Against Domestic Violence, include:

• Survivor-driven, trauma-informed, mobile advocacy;
• Community engagement, including partnering with landlords, Public Housing Authorities, and other service and housing organizations; 
• Flexible financial assistance to assist survivors with expenses related to their housing needs

​Rapid Re-Housing:
In 2018, the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) released bonus funding specifically to establish projects that serve households fleeing domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, and human trafficking. The Coalition received this DV bonus funding to start a Rapid Re-Housing Project, through the NH Balance of State Continuum of Care. The RRH program provides rental assistance for up to 2 years along with supportive, trauma-informed services for eligible participants. This program is managed at the Coalition and carried out by housing advocates at 8 member programs. Eligible participants can access this program though NH Coordinated Entry and by referral from their local crisis center. 
 
Housing services provided at the Coalition's 12 member programs include:

• Providing trauma-informed services to support survivors in accessing or maintaining long-term safe housing, including:
  • Assisting survivors in applying for subsidized housing programs (such as Public Housing, section 8 vouchers, Rapid Re-Housing, and other local housing programs)
  • Assisting survivors in finding rental units, including viewing available apartments, understanding lease agreements, and communicating with landlords
  • Enrolling eligible survivors in the Rapid Re-Housing Program or Housing Access Program
  • Providing ongoing economic empowerment services to support survivors to obtain financial independence and stability
  • Offering support around being good tenants, including fostering positive landlord relationships, paying rent on time, and caring for a rented unit
• Building relationships with landlords, public housing authorities, local welfare officials, and community programs
• Educating community members on the need for community supports to ensure victims’ success in maintaining housing and obtaining independence