Housing Stability Program - Delaware

Survivor Ventures will provide short-term, tenant-rented housing and appropriate supportive services to human trafficking victims and their dependents throughout the state of Delaware. All programing and assistance within this geography will be determined based on individual victims’ geographical needs. 
 

Funding will allow Survivor Ventures to provide a new Housing Stability Program (HSP) to 39 survivors of human trafficking and their children so that they can work toward the future they envision.  HSP is designed to provide individuals and families with stability and support to gradually and successfully transition into maintaining a tenant-rented permanent housing unit while receiving accompanying supportive services. It allows individuals time to work toward stability, education and employment, while continuing to heal from the traumatic experience of human trafficking.
 

Annually, this project will provide 13 tenant-leased units throughout the state of Delaware for 13 survivors of human trafficking and their dependents.  Survivor Ventures will cover the full rent for program participants at the beginning of the assistance period and then gradually reduce assistance as the program participant obtains income through employment and/or benefits (e.g. Social Security Disability (SSDI) or food stamps). Each rental assistance participant agreement will be tailored to the individual participant's level of need.

Through a formal partnership with the lead victim service provider, the Salvation Army Delaware Command’s Restoration Now program, existing supportive services will be leveraged, including crisis shelter, case management, mental health counseling and partnerships with other agencies.  Survivor Ventures will join Delaware’s Continuum of Care to ensure survivors of trafficking are presented at coordinated entry.  In this way, more survivors of human trafficking can be served by supplementing existing federally funded rental assistance for those who need longer-term support.  Strategic partnerships with property management groups, financial institutions, and small businesses will be forged to overcome barriers to housing and employment, including criminal records and poor credit resulting from victimization.