Journey Center’s Domestic Violence Housing First Initiative (DVHFI) provides short-term emergency housing assistance for individuals or families fleeing domestic violence. Journey’s Domestic Violence Housing First Initiative will quickly connect domestic violence victims to stable housing, regardless of whether or not they come into Shelter.
Gaining self-sufficiency away from an abuser has tremendous ripple effects throughout the survivor’s family and community.
Children are no longer exposed to abuse
Survivors are less likely to lose their job
The health, homeless, and child welfare systems may be used less
The generational cycle of violence and poverty is more likely to end
For more information about our DVHFI program watch our DVHFI program service video.
Journey Center invites you to learn more about how your property can help those fleeing domestic violence.
During these Informational Sessions DVHFI program staff will inform property owners about DVHFI including the process from start to finish and how a partnership can decrease vacancies and potentially increase income.
Attend an upcoming event to learn more:
Information for Property Owners and Managers
Housing relocation is a part of our survivor process; we work alongside survivors, at the intersection of homelessness and domestic violence, to complete processes and procedures, to ensure rental assistance for 12 months, with options for permanent choice in housing with our Domestic Violence Housing First Initiative (DVHFI).
Journey Center’s DVHFI program connects victims to stable housing while providing rental assistance financed by the Rapid Rehousing Program.
The Rapid Re-Housing Program is short-term emergency housing assistance for domestic violence survivors seeking safe housing away from their abusers. While clients are receiving rental assistance, Journey Center provides services and education to assist with self-sufficiency.
If you are a landlord or property manager looking for more information about how to get involved download our DVHFI Brochure.
Journey Center clients comply with program requirements of case management services in order to continue to receive the rental assistance. Journey Center’s partnership with EDEN, Inc., who finances the Domestic Violence Rapid Re-Housing Program. Journey Center also provides housing assistance through our Journey Home program operated and financed by Journey Center for Safety and Healing.
List Your Property
List your property with Journey Center and receive incentives, possibly increase your income and decrease your property vacancy rates. Journey Center staff will provide program details, list your available units, and answer any questions you may have.
Jenna Capan, DVHFI Manager
jcapan@journeyneo.org
How DVFHI Works
Step 1: Click on the LIST YOUR PROPERTY button above and complete the form.
Step 2: DVFHI will list your property for referrals to EDEN, Inc. DV RRH and Journey Home.
Step 3: REQUEST FOR LEASE/TENANCY APPROVAL PROCESS (RFLA/RFTA).
DVHFI clients will view the property and provide property owner an RFLA or RFTA depending on the program entry. Request for Lease/Tenancy Approval document must be completed by the property owner with the prospective tenant and submitted to Journey Center or EDEN. The property owner will complete the housing provider section, sign, date, and initial where appropriate and submit with all requested documentation.
Click here to download the RFLA Form for EDEN Inc. RRH.Step 4: RENT DETERMINATION.
Fair Market Value is offered to the property owner, who can accept or deny the offer.Step 5: INSPECTION BY EDEN, INC. OR JOURNEY CENTER
Unit is assigned to an inspector.
Note: If a client moves into unit prior to it passing inspection, the client will be solely responsible for any payment due to the owner. Upon passed inspection, client can move in.Step 6: Rent and security deposit (if applicable) will be mailed to the owner upon receipt of the lease and HAP contract.
Processing Time: Is based upon all documentation being submitted and no repairs required to the unit. If there are missing documents, incomplete forms, or the unit is not ready, processing time could be significantly delayed.
Property Inspection Requirements:
Unit must be vacant and in move-in condition with all utilities on at the time of inspection.
All utilities: electric, gas and water must be on and operating.
All ceilings, walls and floors must be sturdy and without holes.
All floors must be free of tripping hazards and transition strips must be present between floor types.
A least one operating smoke detector must be installed on every level of the unit. The entire unit, both inside and outside, including window frames, must be free of cracking, scaling, peeling, chipping and loose paint.
Where there are three or more consecutive steps and a landing, handrails must be securely attached.
The unit must be free of roaches, rodents, or any other infestations.
The entire unit, interior and exterior, including garages, must be free from electrical hazards.
GFIs must be installed in existing outlets, inside and outside, including garages and exterior outlets, all within five feet of water sources.
Every room used for living must have either three working outlets, or two working outlets and a permanently installed light fixture. At a minimum, each bathroom must have a permanently installed light fixture. All light switches and outlets must have undamaged and secured covers installed.
All windows and doors must be secure when closed and must be weather tight.
No broken or cracked windows allowed. All windows and doors that are accessible from the outside must have working, sturdy locks and be weather tight.
Forms:
Completed direct deposit form (if not already on file at EDEN, Inc.).
Individual Completed W-9 form (if not already on file at EDEN, Inc.) or Business W-9 Form.
RFLA Request for Lease Approval Process (RFLA) for EDEN, Inc., DV RRH
RFTA Request for Lease Approval Process (RFTA) for Journey Home RRH
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Rapid Rehousing programs have limitations on the amount of rent that can be approved due to HUD regulations and funding availability. In addition, as an affordable housing agency, our role in helping maintain reasonable and affordable rents in our community ensures costs do not skyrocket and families with lower incomes are still able to afford safe and decent housing.
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The property owner's phone number and associated property address, images and/or links, will be shared with the client or designated case manager. The property owner's personal address, however, is not shared with clients.
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Once the Request for Lease/Tenancy Approval form is complete and the unit is ready for the inspection, the initial inspection can be scheduled/completed in approximately 10 business days.
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No, the tenant is responsible for paying additional fees.
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Payment is generally issued in approximately 7-10 business days following the signed lease, completed Housing Assistance Payment Contract, and passed inspection.
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Payments are received between the 1st and 4th of each month.
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The initial payment will not be made until the signed Lease Agreement has been received and the HAP contract has been executed. Please contact the following programs to inquire about missing rental payments:
EDEN Inc. RRH: Dvrrh@journeyneo.org
Journey Home RRH: Journeyhome@journeyneo.org
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You will deduct the damages from the security deposit. You must forward to the tenant the documentation and invoices to verify the amount withheld from the security deposit.
You may also contact the program manager directly for information on next steps.
EDEN Inc RRH: Edenrapidhousing@edencle.org
Journey Home RRH: Journeyhome@journeyneo.org