DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND HOMELESS LINK-SARAH

Domestic Violence/Housing

            There is a link between domestic violence and homelessness in America.  Women who decide to leave their abusive partners have little economic resources. Economics is one of the main reasons women stay in an abusive relationships.  Women that leave become low-income mothers.  They are subjected to finding low-income housing that unusually does not exist.  Most places have waiting list.  The federal programs to assist women who are low income for housing have waiting list for up to 2 years.  What is worse is that women are subjected to a zero tolerance for family members who commit crimes.  So if a husband batters his wife she must also leave the premise.  Therefore, the innocent victim of violence is homeless or sent to a domestic violence shelter if room is available.  This law has recently changed. 
            Some women are able to gain some independence through the Welfare System.  Women do face challenges within the system.  In 1996, The Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 “mandated that women be employed with 24 months of initial enrollment in welfare and place a 5 year time limit on a woman’s ability to receive.”  This was impossible for women to complete.  This was a hinder to woman.  Abusive partners saw this as a way for a woman to gain control in her life.  Often, abusive partners would return and batter their partner again. Also, the welfare system did not allow enough time for victims of domestic violence to regain control of their life.  (Baker, 758)

            Today, many states have adopted the Family Violence Option.  “It allows states to temporary waive time limits and work requirements for women who self-disclose domestic violence.” (Baker, 758)  The problem with the act is its implementation. Caseworkers at the Welfare Office are not trained properly.  Some caseworkers are resentful of the law because it gives them a larger workload.   Changes in the implementation and the attitudes of caseworkers will allow domestic violence victims gain economic security.

            The National Law Center on Homelessness and Poverty in 2005 stated that 50% were homeless as a result of domestic violence.  It stated in the survey that 92% of the women who were homeless experienced some form of domestic violence or sexual assault.  The study states 63% of adults have experienced domestic violence as an adult. (National Law Center, 1)