PUBLIC TESTIMONY
Testimony by Stephanie Paer, Program Manager of Crime Victim Services at Urban Resource Institute (URI)
2:25:46
·
171 sec
Stephanie Paer from Urban Resource Institute testifies about the challenges domestic violence survivors face in securing permanent housing. She highlights discrimination against voucher holders, limited housing support programs, and the need for expanded resources.
- Landlords often discriminate against survivors using vouchers like FHEPS-B
- The end of the Emergency Housing Voucher (EHV) program in 2023 left many survivors without a crucial resource
- Paer urges the city council to prioritize housing needs of domestic violence survivors, including expanding voucher programs and reinstating programs like EHV
Stephanie Paer
2:25:46
Good afternoon, Ciara Galla, Ciara Lewis, and the members of the city council.
2:25:51
My name is Stephanie Perre, and I'm the program manager for the crime victim services at the Urban Resource Institute.
2:25:58
Crime victim services provides crucial services to domestic violence vibers, including emotional support, advocacy, cord accompaniments, and education on their legal rights.
2:26:09
CVSP's goal is to help survivors navigate their journey to safety, healing, and stability.
2:26:15
But one of the most persistent challenges they face is securing permanent housing.
2:26:21
Housing remains the most critical need for domestic violence survivors, yet it is the most difficult to secure due to several barriers.
2:26:30
One of the major challenges is that many landlords discriminate against survivors who use vouchers like FEPT's B, which is specifically designed to help survivors secure housing.
2:26:41
Unfortunately, landlords frequently refuse to accept these vouchers with some openly expressing their reluctance to to rent to domestic violence survivor.
2:26:51
I had a landlord state to me.
2:26:54
I do not want those kind of problems here.
2:26:57
This type of discrimination prevents survivors from finding the stable housing they need to rebuild their lives.
2:27:03
While some survivors do qualify for a pepsi v voucher, others, especially those who are working, but do not qualify for an HRA case, are left without any viable housing options while in emergency shelters.
2:27:17
The clients are are often forced to transition into DHS family shelters only took just to qualify for programs such as soda, which is the special one time assistance program that help clients pay for 1 entire year of rent.
2:27:33
Expanding voucher programs like Pepsi and soda would greatly benefit survivors in achieving permanent housing and allow them to focus on healing.
2:27:42
Another critical issue is the lack of consistent housing support.
2:27:46
The emergency housing program, EHAV, was offered to all domestic violence survivors in 2022, which proved to be a lifeline for many of our clients.
2:27:57
During its inflammation, I was able to assist 14 survivors in securing their vouchers and moving into permanent housing.
2:28:04
However, the EHV program ended in 2023 and is no longer available to survivors, leaving many without a crucial resource.
2:28:13
Reinstating programs like EHAV would provide survivors with more opportunities to find safe and stable housing.
2:28:21
URI remains committed to advocating for these essential changes and we urge city council to prioritize the housing needs of domestic violence survivors.
2:28:30
Thank you for your time and attention to these critical issues, and I'm happy to answer any questions you have.
2:28:36
Thank you.
