Transitional housing is a newly funded program that offers free housing to eligible shelter clients for up to eighteen months which can facilitate self sufficiency and long term independence for victims of domestic violence. When victims of domestic violence have no one to go back to or no place to go back to, transitional housing is a life saver.

Our experience at Hamdard tells us that (1) lack of financial independence, (2) lack of affordable housing or long wait for Section 8 housing, and (3) cultural and religious barriers that can create extreme difficulties, force our clients to remain in abusive household and compromise their personal safety and the safety of their children. Victims from our communities are reluctant to go to a shelter for fear of reprisal from the abuser, even when their safety is at risk. Transitional housing is also meant for those victims who have completed their short stay at the shelter and have no place to go.

Hamdard operates this transitional program with supportive services which can accommodate up to ten clients (women and children only). Under this project Hamdard rents four apartment (equipped with security system) in a safe neighborhood but close to public transportation and not too far from Hamdard’s administrative offices. Hamdard will furnish these apartment and all utilities and rent will be paid by the Hamdard Center through the VOCA grants.

Clients who graduate from the Hamdard shelter or clients who want to get away from the abusive situation at home will qualify based on certain eligibility criteria. Each client in the housing project will follow their individualized service plan focusing on their children’s safety and increased independence and self sufficiency. Their stay in transitional housing program may range from six months to eighteen months. Because of multiple barriers, such as, language, immigration issues, lack of employable skills and work history, these clients will need relatively longer time to become sef-sufficient.

Supportive services for these clients will include:

		Assistance with transportation
		Accompanying clients to criminal justice system, courts, and attorneys
		Interpreting and advocacy
		Assisting these clients with case follow up/disposition
		Assisting them with referrals to agencies working with immigration issues
		Helping them with order of protection and VAWA petitions and assistance with victim impact statement
		Child care services related to clients attending courts
		Assisting clients in working with other service providers, employers
		Assistance in filing for compensation benefits and applying for Public Aid assistance

The project is supervised by a full time trained staff as transitional case manager to assist clients with a myriad of practical, survival, and legal needs and link them with other services, e.g., mental health counseling, employment and independent living skills training, job search, etc. It also employs a full time child care worker who is trained to work with culturally diverse children.