Domestic violence

From the introduction to the compendium: The following is a compendium of state and local laws, enacted as of September 2023, that affect the housing rights of domestic violence and sexual assault survivors. This compendium is designed to serve as a starting point for advocates conducting…

A discussion of Boston Housing Authority v. Y.A., which included guidance from the Supreme Judicial Court on the application of VAWA protections in summary process cases, including holding that a tenant may raise a VAWA defense to eviction at any time during an eviction proceeding, 

Advocates are encountering courts that believe the housing protections under the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) lapsed because of Congress’s failure to reauthorize VAWA in 2018. VAWA’s housing protections do not have sunset provisions and, therefore, did not…

Not infrequently, victims of crime want to move as a result of a crime. This booklet provides information about specific protections and rights that victims of crime such as domestic abuse, sexual assault and stalking have if they seek to end their lease early, or transfer to a new unit in public or…

Vicitms of Sexual Assault, Domestic Violence can change their locks quickly if they are afraid.  Read to find out how to do it properly.   Includes fact sheet and sample documents for getting the locks changed.

Graphic flyer for posting in English and Spanish informing tenants "Sexual Harassment is Illegal. Fair Housing is Your Right."

 -  HUD-5380 Notice of Occupancy Rights Under the Violence Against Women Act  -  HUD-5381 Model Emergency Transfer Plan for Victims of Domestic Violence, Dating Violence, Sexual Assault, or Stalking  -  HUD-5382 Certification of Domestic Violence, Dating Violence,…

Search by zip code to find shelters.

A two page handout that addresses: What sort of housing discrimination do women who have experienced domestic violence face? What protections do women who have experienced domestic violence have from discrimination in public housing? Do these rules apply to other low-income…

On January 3, 2013 Governor Deval Patrick signed a bill extending certain housing rights and protections to victims of domestic violence, rape, sexual assault and stalking (Chapter 402 of the Acts of 2012), which amends G.L. c. 186 to add seven new sections (G.L. c. 186, §§…

Many municipalities in the U.S. have enacted nuisance property ordinances, which can have harmful effects on victims of domestic violence. Although state fair housing laws, landlord-tenant statutes and other legal provisions may protect the housing rights of some survivors of domestic violence,…

The Shriver Center, NHLP, ACLU, Regional Housing Legal Services, NNEDV, National Alliance to End Sexual Violence, and Mid-Minnesota Legal Aid just released a report on the failure of many state housing finance agencies to fully implement the protections provided to survivors in need of or living in…

Local communities are increasingly passing laws to control crime and nuisances on rental properties. They do so mostly by limiting the number of times police can be called to a residence. But it turns out that crime victims — especially victims of domestic abuse — are often the ones who…

On August 8, 2014, the Legislature enacted Chapter 260 of the Acts of 2014, An Act Relative to Domestic Violence, which created enhanced laws, protections, and responses to domestic violence crimes in Massachusetts. Section 47 of Chapter 260 created this study commission to assess housing and…

Specifically it states VAWA:   VAWA 2013 continues to bar eviction and termination due to a tenant’s status as a survivor, and requires landlords to maintain survivor-tenant confidentiality. It also continues to prohibit a tenant who is a survivor of domestic violence from…

Many domestic violence victims report losing their housing due, at least in part, to the violence in their lives.  Several jurisdictions have enacted laws specifically indicating that domestic violence victims are protected from housing discrimination. - 

Maintaining Safe and Stable Housing for Domestic Violence Survivors A 2012 Manual for Attorneys and Advocates.  Includes chapters on: Safety Planning in Rental Housing Common Landlord-Tenant Issues That Domestic Violence Survivors Encounter Domestic Violence Survivors’ Rights…