Human Trafficking Victim Assistance Program Transitional Housing Expansion

The goal of the FY 2020 Housing Assistance Grants for Victims of Human Trafficking Program is to support housing assistance for victims of all forms of human trafficking throughout the United States, as defined by the Trafficking Victims Protection Act (TVPA) of 2000, as amended. Funding through this solicitation supports programs that provide 6 to 24 months of transitional housing with support services to victims of human trafficking who are in need of housing as a result of human trafficking. Under this project, Catholic Charities, Diocese of Venice, Inc. (CCDOV) Human Trafficking Victim Assistance (HTVA) program will expand its short-term housing assistance services to provide short-term housing services for survivors of human trafficking throughout ten counties in Southwest Florida. CCDOV will secure single- and two-bedroom apartments to serve single persons and families who have been victims of human trafficking for a period of six to twenty-four months depending on needs. In addition to short-term housing assistance, CCDOV offers a wide range of supportive services including Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) application assistance; immigration support; transportation assistance; access to food pantries; and access to varied housing models including permanent housing. Case management throughout the system provides services that includes supply of food and clothing, assistance with a personal budget, cultural orientation, safety planning, and more. The HTVA program also has agreements and referral arrangements with area agencies that provide emergency shelter, medical, dental, and psychiatric care, childcare, education and employment readiness, legal immigration services, documentation assistance, and more. CA/NCF