PUBLIC TESTIMONY
Testimony by Blair Dorosh-Walther, Director of Economic Empowerment at Urban Resource Institute (URI)
2:20:02
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156 sec
Blair Dorosh-Walther from the Urban Resource Institute testifies about the challenges faced by domestic violence survivors in achieving economic stability and independence due to the limitations of public benefit programs and housing vouchers. She highlights the detrimental impact of the "benefits cliff" on survivor safety and security.
- Survivors often face a catch-22 situation where they must reduce their income to qualify for benefits, hindering their ability to achieve financial independence.
- Many landlords are reluctant to accept housing vouchers due to delayed payments from HRA, putting additional strain on survivors.
- Economic abuse, including identity theft and coercion by abusers, creates significant financial burdens for survivors, with an average of $104,000 in debt over their lifetime.
blair dorosh-walther
2:20:02
Good morning, and thank you to the committee on general welfare and women gender equity for the opportunity to share my testimony.
2:20:10
My name is Blair Doris Walter.
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I'm the director of economic empowerment at the Urban Resource Institute.
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Our program aims to provide economic justice through financial stability, meaningful employment, and financial healing.
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These are crucial tools to economic equity for survivors and their community.
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Every day, we see the detrimental impact the public benefits Cliff has on survivor safety and security.
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A safety net that is aimed to support low income New workers access handcuffs to financial stability and independence.
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For instance, to qualify for FEPS B housing voucher, survivors must earn nearly at or below 200% of the poverty level.
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City Firms has comparable limitations.
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If a survivor's income slightly exceeds this threshold, they risk losing essential public benefits, including housing vouchers.
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Additionally, city Firms is only is the only option for single survivors but they need to have a open public assistance case.
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However, going to public benefits office, they rarely open a public benefits case without cash assistance.
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This puts singles into catch 22.
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I once worked with a client who juggled 2 jobs to pay a rent before she came to shelter.
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After entering shelter, her income surpassed the eligibility limit for public benefits, yet it wasn't enough to forward market rate department.
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To qualify for cash assistance to secure FEBS B vouchers for permanent housing, she had to quit one of her jobs.
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This scenario is not uncommon.
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Ironically, these programs require employment, yet survivors can't increase their hours, take additional jobs, advance their careers, or accept promotions without risking the loss of benefits, which ultimately leads to the loss of housing vouchers in their home.
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Many landlords are reluctant to accept vouchers, often distressing the untimely payments from HRA.
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I once assisted a survivor whose landlord hadn't been paid by HRA for 11 months.
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And eviction cases, it's the tenant who is liable not HRA.
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Survivors who burden are also burdened by economic abuse, and the average survivor carries a $104,000 of debt in their lifetime.
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Many survivors face identity theft fraud and coercion.
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Perpetrated by the abusive party.
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They may not even realize this abuse until they are denied housing.
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On average, a survivor loses $1280 a month to their abuser.
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This takes a physical emotional toll for families.
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I'll just finish up.
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Without any of these changes, survivors are left paying for their abuse.
