VAWA PROTECTION FOR

PUBLIC HOUSING AND SECTION 8 HOUSING

CHOICE VOUCHER ASSISTANT APPLICANTS

A Public Housing Agency (PHA), owner or landlord may not deny admission to an applicant (male or female) who has been a victim of domestic violence or stalking if the applicant otherwise qualifies for assistance or admission.

To qualify for public housing or housing choice voucher assistance, all applicants, including victims of domestic violence, dating violence or stalking, must, at a minimum:

§ meet the local PHA's definition of "family";

§ be income eligible;

§ have at least one family member who is a U.S. citizen or has eligible immigration status;

§ pass criminal background screening;

§ have no outstanding debt to the PHA ; and

§ meet all other local PHA

Some, but not all, PHAs give preference to applicants who are victims of domestic violence. If you are a victim of domestic violence, dating violence or stalking, ask if the PHA gives this preference. If they do, the PHA may request that you provide a certification documenting the situation. If you fail to provide a requested certification within 14 business days after receiving the request, your request for a preference may be denied.

VAWA PROTECTION FOR

PUBLIC HOUSING TENANTS AND HOUSING CHOICE VOUCHER PROGRAM PARTICIPANTS

Reporting incidents of domestic violence, dating violence or stalking to law enforcement, victim's rights advocates, and the PHA may help preserve your housing rights. The PHA may not deny, remove or terminate assistance to a victim of domestic violence, dating violence or stalking based solely on such an incident or threat.

The PHA, an owner or landlord may deny, remove, or terminate assistance to an individual perpetrator of such actions and continue to allow the victim or other household members to remain in the dwelling unit or receive housing assistance. This does not limit the authority of the PHA, owner or landlord to terminate your assistance for other criminal activity or good cause.

A Section 8 Housing Voucher Participant who is a victim of domestic violence, dating violence or stalking may request and be granted portability due to the incident or threat if they are otherwise compliant with all program obligations and the perpetrator has moved out of the dwelling unit.

In processing a request by a victim for continued assistance or for portability, the PHA may request that you certify that you are a victim of domestic violence, dating violence or stalking, and that the actual or threatened abuse meets the requirements set forth in the VAWA. Such certification must include the name of the perpetrator. If you do not provide the requested certification within 14 business days, your assistance may be terminated.

CONFIDENTIALITY

Any information provided pursuant to the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) shall neither be entered into any shared database nor provided to any related entity, except to the extent that disclosure is requested or consented to by the individual in writing; required for use in an eviction proceeding of an abuser, stalker or perpetrator of domestic violence; or is otherwise required by applicable law.

STATE AND LOCAL LAWS

Some states have passed laws effecting applicants, tenants, owners and landlords that are more stringent than requirements of the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA). Many states have related laws pending. You may want to check with your state and/or city for the most current state and local laws protecting victims of domestic violence, dating violence or stalking.

VIOLENCE

AGAINST

WOMEN

ACT

WHAT APPLICANTS,

TENANTS, OWNERS AND LANDLORDS NEED

TO KNOW

Applicable to Public Housing and

Section 8 Choice Voucher Programs

Effective January 5, 2006