Domestic violence, housing instability, and homelessness: A review of housing policies and program practices for meeting the needs of survivors Charlene K. Baker a, ⁎, Kris A. Billhardt b , Joseph Warren c , Chiquita Rollins c , Nancy E. Glass d a Department of Psychology, 2530 Dole Street, Sakamaki C400, University of Hawai'i at Mānoa, Honolulu, HI 96822, United States b Volunteers of America – Oregon, Home Free, United States c Multnomah Department of County Human Services, United States d Johns Hopkins University, United States abstract article info Article history: Received 17 June 2009 Received in revised form 1 July 2010 Accepted 20 July 2010 Available online 14 August 2010 Keywords: Domestic violence Housing instability Homelessness Housing policies Evidence suggests that domestic violence is among the leading causes of housing instability (including homelessness) nationally for women and children. In this paper, we focus on housing policies and practices that may inadvertently make it more difficult for women to secure stable housing after having left an abusive partner. We review the types of housing options available for survivors of domestic violence, as well as housing policies and practices, including their strengths and limitations. In addition, the level of coordination between domestic violence and housing/homeless service systems is discussed. Our rationale for this review is to highlight not only the intent of specific policies and programs but also the effect of their implementation on women's ability to secure stable housing. Finally, we explore alternatives to current housing policies and program practices that may serve as models for how to think “outside the box” so that women's housing and safety needs can be better met. © 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. Contents 1. Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 431 2. The complex relationship between domestic violence, housing instability, and homelessness . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 431 3. “Lay of the Land:” Housing options for domestic violence survivors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 432 3.1. Emergency shelter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 432 3.2. Transitional housing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 432 3.3. Permanent housing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 433 4. Current housing policies and program practices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 433 4.1. Federal housing policies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 433 4.2. Program services for domestic violence survivors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 434 5. Limited coordination between domestic violence and housing/homelessness systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 435 6. Promising policies and practices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 435 6.1. State and local policies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 435 6.2. Funding priorities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 435 6.3. Program services that promote survivor autonomy. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 436 6.4. Program services that address the shortage of affordable housing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 436 6.5. Communication between domestic violence and housing/homeless service systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 436 7. Recommendations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 437 7.1. Policy recommendations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 437 7.2. Practice recommendations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 437 8. Conclusion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 438 Acknowledgements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 438 References . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 438 Aggression and Violent Behavior 15 (2010) 430–439 ⁎ Corresponding author. Tel.: +1 808 956 5669; fax: +1 808 956 4700. E-mail address: bakercha@hawaii.edu (C.K. Baker). 1359-1789/$ – see front matter © 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. doi:10.1016/j.avb.2010.07.005 Contents lists available at ScienceDirect Aggression and Violent Behavior