Beyond Shelter: Navigating Housing Challenges for Domestic Violence Survivors in NYC
Housing crisis threatens victims’ safety.
By Nadia Castro
Love on the Block event. Photo by Nadia Castro
A safety alarm beeped as the doors opened to the lobby of WARM. The smell of hazelnut coffee covers the floor as the cafe works on orders. One after another, from a mother and her son to a young adult in her 20’s, come to seek resources that the organization has to offer. Women that are seeking help after dealing with domestic violence. These families weren’t just seeking safety; they were looking for a path to rebuild their lives.
“It’s not about the number of shelters. You can have a thousand shelters, but if care is not being provided, these women are still suffering after enduring trauma,” said Kelsey Kitzke, a previous Womankind domestic violence organization shelter worker.
Kitzke explained that survivors have six months to stay and try to find permanent housing at most shelters, where they are limited to a maximum stay of 180 days. But due to the lack of affordable housing and economic services, some never find a stable home. “The goal is to find these women and families housing, but the resources don’t offer enough help to do that.”
According to the NYPD monthly complaint and radio run statistics, as of June 2024 there have been 1,062 assault complaints and 16,913 radio runs of domestic violence. The data of 2023 showed that the total number of domestic violence complaints, disaggregated by precinct, is 102,662. Now the total number of chronic domestic violence complaints, which means repeated or ongoing domestic violence incidents involving the same individuals or households, is 4,566. The Bronx had the highest number of 1,349.
With the volume of complaints that have been made to overcrowded shelters, survivors hope for a path to permanent housing where they are safe from their abuser(s).
For her part, Governor Kathy Hochul announced a $5 million dollar investment into 65 programs across New York State as part of the Survivors Access Financial Empowerment (SAFE) fund in May, and then another $35 million “to improve the public safety response to intimate partner abuse and domestic violence” at the beginning of October. While the investment was called a landmark decision, these programs will likely not see the effects of the SAFE fund until 2025.
Meanwhile, representatives from domestic violence shelters like Safe Horizon and Womankind have said that they’ve experienced delays in receiving city housing vouchers for victims, which has left some survivors with no path to permanent housing. The vouchers are provided by the city in order to live in housing of their choosing while paying approximately 30% of their monthly income on rent, according to the Emergency Housing Voucher Program. The remaining amount is paid directly to the landlord by the Public Housing Authority. This path helps victims that may have entered a shelter with little to no income.
Challenges can also arise during the housing placement process.
“When trying to find survivors housing there is a lot of discrimination due to landlords not wanting trouble with domestic violence, the lack of affordable housing for the families doesn’t make it easier as well,” said Olga Rodriguez-Vidal, VP of Shelter Operations at Safe Horizon, the largest victim services nonprofit in the United States, which has 57 locations throughout the five boroughs of New York City.
“We deal with funders and the city in order to try to build more shelters, but it’s not that easy,” said Vidal. “We want so much more for these women that come to us for help, yet we can only provide so much.”
Alicia James (left) with a Columbia medical student who volunteered for a couple hours (right) at the P.A.M. Project table. Photo by Alicia James
Back in the WARM (We All Really Matter) office that peers into Central Harlem, a white wall displayed flyers featuring women of color and the date their abusers killed them. WARM is an organization that connects with domestic violence victims and survivors to help with prevention, intervention and awareness. They respond to crises head on and work to empower people through WARM’s advocacy.
“Women are treated as third class citizens, especially if you are a woman of color,” said McGraw. “Women of color having disproportionately higher rates in domestic violence.”
“The safety exit plan is the most crucial step when someone wants to leave their home,” said Stephanie McGraw, a domestic violence survivor and founder of WARM. Over the 14 years since McGraw founded WARM, she has observed disproportionate challenges for women of color in low-income boroughs when they try to find housing after leaving an abusive partner.
McGraw laid out the process for a victim looking for housing. First, a survivor must voluntarily inform WARM of her intention to leave her home. Then, a personalized plan is created by WARM’s trained professionals. The plan is guided by the victim’s preferences, including when and how they want to leave, who is involved, and the specific timing and location of their exit.
October is domestic violence awareness month, and organizations like WARM have ramped up their awareness campaigns.
Tickets to be exchanged for a tote bag with hygiene products, a plate of food, and clothes were handed out at the entrance to Love on the Block, an event held in East Harlem on Saturday, October 19th. The smell of popcorn and cotton candy filled the air. Reggaeton-inspired music was blaring as volunteers danced with some residents. The street was blocked off and jump houses were laid out, so that children and adults can enjoy. While fun was had at this event important conversations happened around the tabling with different resources for victims.
Local resource groups like the PAM Project (Preserve A. Mom), a social enterprise advocating for the importance of black maternal mental health, were represented by tables that lined the street.
Even when a person leaves an abusive relationship, “there’s still work that needs to be done,” according to Alicia James, PAM founder and president. “Because you’re still that same person.” James pointed out how violence can impact both mothers and children physically, emotionally, legally, and financially.
James, a survivor herself, believed there should be more mental health resources for women of color, many of whom may have a hard time finding a trusted therapist who understands their individual needs.
Two years ago in Manhattan, Ndeye Bassene, a victim of domestic abuse, called on WARM to help her leave. She was moved into a shelter with her son.
While standing in line for her ticket at Love on the Block, Bassene explained how she attended meetings specifically focused on her mental health and learned how to emotionally tolerate custody proceedings against her abuser.
WARM helped Bassene start anew. “I don’t know what I would do without them because sometimes you need help to get back to yourself. My son is thirteen now and we’re happy with our new home. I’m doing much better and now I want to give back to my community to help other women like me.”
Resources:
The National Domestic Violence Hotline
1-800-799-SAFE (7233)
1-800-787-3224 (TTY for Deaf/Hard of Hearing)
Safe Horizon/Rape & Sexual Assault Hotline
1-212-227-3000
1-800-621-HOPE (4673)
WARM
(917) 736-0680
ZOOM Virtual Support Groups on Wednesdays
Next up:
October 30th Characteristcs of People Who cause Harm
November 6th Impact of DV on Victims & Survivors
The P.A.M Project
preserveamom@gmail.com