STEPS TO END DOMESTIC VIOLENCE
(FORMERLY WOMEN HELPING BATTERED WOMEN)
COVID-19 RESPONSE:
The COVID-19 crisis and Stay Home Stay Safe orders present enormous challenges to survivors of domestic violence. Beyond the heightened need for emotional support services, isolate-in-place safety planning and crisis intervention, people impacted by violence and abuse are likely to experience additional stressors with lost work, closed schools and social isolation. Steps is working hard to help its service users navigate these unprecedented challenges.
The COVID-19 crisis and Stay Home Stay Safe orders present enormous challenges to survivors of domestic violence. Beyond the heightened need for emotional support services, isolate-in-place safety planning and crisis intervention, people impacted by violence and abuse are likely to experience additional stressors with lost work, closed schools and social isolation. Steps is working hard to help its service users navigate these unprecedented challenges.
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www.stepsvt.org
The economic justice programs at Steps to End Domestic Violence (Steps) exemplify how the organization strives to operate. The economic justice programming offered includes a variety of financial support services from back rent and utility assistance to affordable housing navigation support and transitional or "rapid rehousing" programs. These programs, in particular, are aimed at reducing the incidence of homelessness when victims are fleeing domestic violence by moving them directly from violent homes into safe transitional housing. |
These programs are based on a simple plan to provide victims of domestic violence with quicker access to public housing subsidies or tax-credit units that support long-term affordability by providing immediate rental assistance so that they are able to secure housing and avoid the trauma and cost of long-term stays in emergency shelters. This solution simultaneously eases suffering, streamlines services and saves money.
Steps partners with the Vermont Department of Children and Families Economic Services Division, Burlington Housing Authority, and other local housing providers to identify stable housing opportunities and relevant support services to ensure long-term stability.
Housing and financial support services are only some aspects of Steps' broad based advocacy programs, all operating in partnership with other governmental and NGO services, that help survivors of domestic violence to meet their goal of safety and self-sufficiency
Steps partners with the Vermont Department of Children and Families Economic Services Division, Burlington Housing Authority, and other local housing providers to identify stable housing opportunities and relevant support services to ensure long-term stability.
Housing and financial support services are only some aspects of Steps' broad based advocacy programs, all operating in partnership with other governmental and NGO services, that help survivors of domestic violence to meet their goal of safety and self-sufficiency