Bay Area Legal Services implemented the Domestic Violence Survivors' Affordable Housing Initiative to ensure that domestic violence survivors could locate affordable housing to escape an abusive partner or spouse. BALS conducted a study of domestic violence survivors which found that access to immediately available and affordable housing is a primary need for domestic violence victims. The study also found that 46% of the respondents reported that they had experienced homelessness as a result of domestic violence. In addition, 42% of respondents indicated that less than $300 was "affordable" rent which starkly contrasts to the average rent in Tampa, Hillsborough County, Florida of $745 for a two bedroom apartment. Confronted with these startling statistics, this study makes it clear how important affordable housing is for women trapped in abusive relationships and the necessity of ensuring that women have choices other than homelessness or remaining with an abusive partner.
BALS identified available resources for domestic violence survivors through interviews with government and social services providers. BALS also partnered with social service and governmental organizations to coordinate affordable housing efforts. BALS put together a two-year action plan as well as the first free affordable housing resource guide entitled the "Affordable Housing Directory" that provides rental information for subsidized housing offering below-market rates plus information on public housing, emergency shelters, cash assistance programs and landlord-tenant law. To learn more about this project, or to request copies of the report or the Housing Directory, access the information below.
Contact Information:
Marilyn Kershner Judge Don Castor Community Law Center Bay Area Legal Services Riverbrook Center, 2nd Floor 829 W. Dr. Martin Luther King Tampa, FL 33603 Phone: (813) 232-1343 Fax: (813) 232-1403 mkershner@bals.org
LSC:
America's Partner for Equal Justice 
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