Fergus Falls, MN – Someplace Safe was awarded funds for a Domestic Violence Housing First Pilot Project from the Minnesota Office of Justice Program.
This funding will enhance the agency’s current domestic violence advocacy services, which strives to remove barriers to survivor safety by providing trauma-informed, client-directed services, and resources needed to attain self-identified goals, ultimately helping survivors recover from crime and violence.
According to Someplace Safe, inadequate access to safe and appropriate housing, as well as limited access to emergency financial resources, can often act as barriers to survivors in obtaining safety.
This funding will allow the agency to further expand flexible financial assistance to survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault, removing a greater number of barriers to their safety, including longer-term support for housing, car insurance, daycare costs, transportation and other needs identified by clients.
Sheila Korby, Executive Director of Someplace Safe, stated “Someplace Safe is honored to be selected as a pilot project for a Domestic Violence Housing First grant. This grant will allow removal of barriers to survivor safety supporting longer-term housing and other financial needs, in a way current funding has not been able to. This grant will be life-altering for survivors of domestic violence and their families, allowing them to access safety in their local community.”
The funds also allow Someplace Safe to add a Regional Housing Advocate position to the staff, which will be filled by Leigh Nelson, who will prioritize the housing needs of survivors as well as coordinate the emergency financial resources and needs of clients.
(Story Courtesy of Someplace Safe)