Author: rebecca trevisani
Housing Visions completed its first project for survivors of domestic violence and their families in 2006. Since that time over 15 years ago, we have worked tirelessly with our partners to provide high quality affordable housing with wraparound supportive services for these residents.
At Housing Visions, we ensure survivors are stably housed in high quality, affordable homes and provided the empowerment necessary to move forward after abuse. We do this utilizing our in-house case management and collaboration with dynamic partners. The YWCA Mohawk Valley, YWCA of the Niagara Frontier, YWCA Syracuse & Onondaga County, Catholic Charities of Onondaga County and Madison County CAP all work in collaboration and partnership with Housing Visions on noteworthy projects for survivors of domestic violence.
In order to successfully remove housing barriers and house survivors, Housing Visions and its collaborative partners acknowledge the survivors’ experiences of homelessness differs from other populations served and adapts accordingly. Among these differences is the financial havoc that abusive partners intentionally impose on survivors’ economic stability to trap them in the relationship; this can include ruining their credit, stealing their money, destroying their property, and possibly preventing them from working. These economic impacts can make it extremely difficult for survivors to find alternative housing. Additionally, there may be justice system-involvement that culminates in building codes involvement for excessive domestic calls that then too casts a shadow on the ability for survivors to seek desirable, affordable housing. While each experience and trauma can vary, Housing Visions and its partners subscribe to Housing First; we safely house survivors, meet them where they are, and provide supportive services and hope to lead them to a brighter future. Often, supportive housing allows for families to stay together or provides a stable environment for survivors to be able to reunify with their children. The organization ensures supports are evidence-based while subscribing to a trauma-informed, harm-reduction philosophy.
While demand outpaces supply as more survivors gain the courage to seek permanent housing options, Housing Visions is proud to serve this need and be an innovator for the survivor population seeking safe, quality affordable housing for themselves and their families. With increased resources and improved advocacy, we will continue to be a beacon of light in what feels like unending darkness.
Supportive housing, otherwise known as affordable housing with supportive services, is a replicable and important solution for communities.
Please kindly consider donating to our drive that would allow us to further serve the residents in our permanent housing for survivors of domestic violence. To arrange evening and weekend pick ups please contact Danielle Larkin at dlarkin@housingvisions.org.
