Service Models and Approaches of Domestic Violence Transitional Housing Programs in the United States

Background and Purpose: Housing supports are a crucial service to support survivors of domestic violence (DV) and their families, with an estimated 44,616 survivors receiving housing support through a DV-focused agency each day in 2023. Housing supports range from short-term emergency shelter and hotel stays to longer-term supports including voucher support, transitional, and permanent supportive housing. Domestic violence transitional housing (DVTH) is an approach used to address housing needs among survivors and their families in local agencies across the United States. DVTH programs typically provide longer-term (12-24 months) housing in project-based or scattered site units, along with additional supportive interventions. While nearly 40% of DV-focused agencies reported providing DVTH or a similar service in 2023, little research has documented the service model and approach of DVTH services. The current study seeks to address this gap by asking the following research question: How do DVTH program staff describe the eligibility and inclusion criteria, program goals, and program approaches of community-based DVTH services in the United States?

Methods: Qualitative interviews were conducted with DVTH staff members (n = 22) from DV agencies across five states. The interview guide was developed collaboratively with a group of researchers and practitioners in the field of DV intervention, and focused on program structure, goals, and activities, and well as survivor experiences, needs, and barriers. Interviews were audio transcribed and verbatim transcripts were used for analysis. A process of iterative thematic analysis by a team of three analysts revealed themes related to program eligibility, goals, and approaches.

Results: Interviews revealed wide variability in programmatic structure and philosophical orientations among DVTH programs. Eligibility requirements consistently included DV history and low income, while variation was observed in requirements related to family structure, substance misuse, transportation access, and level of income. Housing stability post DVTH was consistently a primary service goal, with supporting goals including fostering connections, increased sense of safety, and enhanced autonomy and efficacy. To achieve these goals agencies employed strategies addressing their clients’ financial, legal, and emotional needs. The service approach employed in DVTH programs is mandated in federal policy to be survivor-driven and voluntary in nature, though agencies interpret that in very different ways. For some, this means that the program is housing individuals and families who are invited to additional services, but not requested to use them. Conversely, some programs may strongly request monthly or weekly meetings with advocates to address goal progression. Many programs fall between these two model extremes.

Conclusion: DVTH program staff are deeply committed to their work of providing crucial housing support to survivors and children. While goals are fairly consistent across DVTH programs, both eligibility and program models vary substantially. This variability highlights the need for dynamic and flexible support from funding and oversight organizations, as well as the need for on-going research to understand the impact of this variation on survivor and child outcomes and long-term housing stability.