Nonprofit program helps domestic violence victims find housing

A new program is helping dozens of victims of domestic violence find housing in northwest Houston.

Northwest Assistance Ministries has received a federal grant worth around $1 million to fund the new program, which started in December through the agency's Family Violence Center.

Since then, the nonprofit has been able to house 18 victims fleeing domestic violence. And NAM is currently working to house 20 additional victims.

"We are trying to make housing services more readily available to those fleeing domestic violence," said Sheryl Johnson, director of NAM's Family Violence Center.

To seek help, victims can call NAM's Family Violence Center hotline at 281-885-HOPE (4673).

The Family Violence Center has three case managers that work with victims seeking housing. The case managers first conduct assessments.

The nonprofit then works with the client to find an appropriate apartment, located either close to a workplace or close to family or further from the perpetrator.

The Harris County Domestic Violence Coordinating Council received the federal grant from the U.S. Housing and Urban Development Department to provide housing for those fleeing domestic violence.

The council in turn asked Northwest Assistance Ministries to administer the grant through its Family Violence Center.

"There's a huge need in our county and our connecting counties for housing services for victims of domestic violence," said Barbie Brashear, executive director at the Harris County Domestic Violence Coordinating Council. "This increases our capacity, which is great."

The program provides for rental assistance for a year and potentially up to two years. The program also provides for supportive services, including counseling, childcare and money for moving costs and utilities.

"The client works with a case worker to identify housing options for them," Brashear said. "They search for housing options and enter their own lease. The grant pays their rent or a portion based on their income and provides them with supportive services."

This new program is the only housing program for victims of domestic violence outside the loop, Johnson said.

"For many of the clients who make the decision to leave, but had chosen not to go to a shelter, there were not a lot of options available to them in Harris County," Johnson said.

And even with this new program, there is a need for additional resources.

"We still don't have enough programs - housing or shelters - to fill the need," Johnson said. "The sad part is as many as we do serve, there are still many out there who aren't getting the type of assistance they need."

For the Family Violence Center's hotline, call 281-885-HOPE (4673) or toll free 888-750-HOPE (4673) or visit http://namonline.org/get-help/family-violence-center/