1. Implementing VAWA in Public and Subsidized Housing Presented by Kate Walz, Esq. Sargent Shriver National Center on Poverty Law katewalz@povertylaw.org

2. Work with Public Housing Authorities & Owners to Implement VAWA Partnership with area or state domestic violence and sexual assault organizations. View as a collaborative process with PHA/owners and advocates for sharing information/ideas. Aim to create good policies and practices to protect all survivors of violence, not just comply with VAWA.

3. Shriver Center experience with the Chicago Housing Authority Previous positive collaboration with the CHA to develop policies and practices accommodating special populations. CHA recognition that many residents experience domestic or sexual violence. Mayors Office on Domestic Violence offering assistance, training, and education as part of the collaborative.

4. Collaborative Process In addition to VAWA compliance, the parties reviewed every aspect of the public housing program to determine what accommodations should be made for survivors of violence. For example, the parties reviewed policies concerning: -emergency transfers, admission criteria, lock changes, and resident departure from the unit

5. Recognition of Training Needs The parties recognized that many levels of public housing staff required training, including legal counsel, property and asset management, social service providers, and residents. The parties also recognized that area domestic violence and sexual assault providers required training on public housing, VAWA, etc.,

6. CHA Policies Concerning Survivors of Domestic and Sexual Violence In Compliance with VAWA. Part of ACOP and residential lease. Extends VAWA protections to survivors of sexual assault. Also addresses: -emergency housing transfers: survivors are moved to safe housing first and then issues of lease compliance, recertification, etc., are resolved. -admission criteria (MTWA PHA): survivor can seek an accommodation from any admission criteria they cannot meet because of domestic or sexual violence. -absence from the unit: survivors are more provided with more time to notify the CHA that they have left the unit. -unit changes (i.e., lock changes): recognition that special requests or changes may be necessary to protect the health and safety of survivors of violence.

7. Shriver Center now working with Voucher Administrator, CHAC, Inc., Operating on the same principles from the CHA discussions. CHAC, Inc., uses its owner and tenant newsletters and regular staff meetings to convey information about VAWA, local state law, and good policies and practices. Planning trainings for CHAC staff, owners, and area domestic and sexual violence providers. CHAC revisions to Administrative Plan reflective of CHA’s policies, but also provide that any breach in a family or program obligation can be mitigated by the fact the a member of the household is a survivor of violence.

8. Work with Project-Based Section 8 Owners Slower process. Collaborating with local domestic violence program and police department in relationship with several Project-Based Section 8 owners in the same geographic area. Training of Property Managers at these developments and discussion of problems/concerns. Plan to work with one or two larger Project- Based Section 8 owners, area domestic violence providers, and the HUD Regional Office to develop similar collaborative process.

9. For More Information Contact: Kate Walz Senior Staff Attorney Sargent Shriver National Center on Poverty Law 50 E. Washington, Suite 500 Chicago, IL 60602 (312) 263-3830 ext. 232 (312) 263-3846 (fax) katewalz@povertylaw.org www.povertylaw.org