There is a federal law called VAWA (Violence Against Women Act). VAWA helps if you or a household member are a victim of:
- gender-based violence,
- domestic violence,
- harassment, or
- criminal sexual conduct
and apply for or live in:
- Public Housing
- Subsidized Housing
- Section 8 Voucher Programs
- USDA Rural Housing, or
- Low Income Housing Tax Credit (Section 42)
The law says that a housing program can’t turn you down for housing, end your lease, or evict you because of your abuser’s or attacker’s actions against you or a household member. Housing programs had until June 14, 2017, to put an emergency transfer policy in place. This transfer policy is for victims of domestic violence or sexual assault who need to move for safety if another unit is available.
You can even choose to give up your subsidy and move out for safety. You can end your lease on a date of your choice without giving up your rights to get your security deposit back.
Domestic violence can be violence against you or a household member, dating violence and stalking. The housing agency or landlord can ask you to prove the domestic violence or sexual assault. They may end the lease for the abuser or attacker and keep renting just to you.
This law does not mean that the housing agency or landlord can’t enforce other housing program rules or other terms of the lease. You can be evicted for something else that violates the rules or your lease.