PROGRAM SPOTLIGHT: Emergency Housing
July 18, 2022
All domestic violence survivors have different needs, wishes, and goals. Some survivors want to stay with their abusive partner and stop the abuse; others choose to leave their partner but worry they do not have anywhere safe to go. At HarborCOV, we believe that survivors know what is best for them, and we follow their lead as we partner to end abuse.
HarborCOV’s Emergency Housing program provides support to domestic violence survivors and their children who need short-term emergency housing. In the United States, emergency shelter is one of the most significant unmet needs for domestic violence survivors. According to the National Network to End Domestic Violence (NNEDV) One Day Domestic Violence Counts Survey, 64% of all unmet requests for support across the country on the day of the survey were for housing and emergency shelter. On that same day, a total of 17,558 adult survivors and children were living in emergency shelter programs.
HarborCOV’s Emergency Housing program provides emergency shelter to six individuals or families. Residents of the program also have access to 24/7 on-site support for all of their needs, provided by the program’s seven full and part-time staff members. While the program is designed to provide short-term housing, survivors have as much time and space as they need in the program to achieve their goals for safety and stability.
The Emergency Housing program also manages HarborCOV’s emergency hotline, which is available 24/7 to survivors looking for support.
This program accepts all families, including survivors of all genders, races, and abilities. Pets are also welcome, so survivors never have to choose between safety and leaving their pet behind. Program residents have a range of fears, triggers, and needs; so we follow survivors’ lead to move along the journey to safety and well-being. HarborCOV removes barriers and creates access for these survivors. Together, we can work through anything.
This program is made possible thanks to the support of many generous supporters. In addition to our government and foundation partners, the organizations who have generously donated undergarments and essentials, and the moving companies have provided free moving services to survivors moving in and out of the program. To all those who have supported the program, thank you!