Housing Needs of Survivors of Sexual Assault

Housing for survivors of sexual assault is not currently being adequately addressed, both through existing victim-specific and mainstream homeless programs, and in permanent safe and private housing. Some identified areas of need are:

1. Focused response to trauma that impacts a survivor of sexual assault’s ability to maintain and obtain safe housing. The Housing Needs of Survivors of Sexual Assault impact of trauma on a survivor of sexual assault can create housing instability or chronic homelessness for survivors across the lifespan and can make achieving housing stability challenging.
2. Housing spaces that allow for holistic healing for survivors of sexual assault. Survivors have a variety of needs regarding housing, chief among these being healing spaces, whether short-term or long-term housing, shelter, safe space, or otherwise, which require a flexible, trauma-informed, and low-barrier response.
3. Housing and safety needs for survivors of sexual assault need to be thought of broadly, to address the ongoing traumatic impact of victimization and respond to the many aspects of survivors’ lives. The structure and context of the housing program has to examine what does “safety” and support look like from a sexual assault lens.
4. Cultural specificity in responding to needs for survivors of sexual assault. Any program must be infused with strategies and responses that are responsive to Communities of Color and other marginalized communities.
5. Safe housing programs. Survivors of sexual assault need to access homeless shelters/programs/spaces, and housing assistance/subsidies without fear of further violence.
6. Training for advocates and coalitions. Currently, local programs and sexual assault coalitions are working to respond to the
   housing needs for survivors of sexual assault. However, there is a need for training tools for advocates and housing providers; and outreach tools for reaching survivors in housing settings.

A National Sexual Assault Housing Collaborative exists to provide training and technical assistance to housing professionals and sexual assault victim advocates about the intersections of sexual assault and housing. The organizations that comprise this collaborative are the National Alliance to End Sexual Violence, the National Organizations of Sisters of Color Ending Sexual Assault, the National Sexual Violence Resource Center, and the National Sexual Assault Coalition Resource Sharing Project.

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