The Massachusetts Office for Victim Assistance (MOVA) has announced $2,755,011.10 in emergency grant funding to provide housing stabilization services for victims of crime in response to challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Massachusetts Alliance of Portuguese Speakers (MAPS, receiving a total of $45,000 in funding), The Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MDPH) and 28 other victim service agencies will receive funding to provide critical services to victims facing housing instability through the remainder of the state fiscal year (June 30, 2021). As the moratorium on evictions and foreclosures in Massachusetts expired on October 17, 2020, this dedicated funding is essential to protect against displacement, loss of housing, and homelessness for victims of crime.
Of the total award, approximately $1.2M is allocated for emergency shelter for victims; $675,000 for rental and utility assistance costs; $258,000 for emergency relocation costs; $184,000 for client transportation; and $315,000 for victim emergency basic need items.
“Ensuring survivors of crime have a roof over their heads is critical to the health and safety of them and their families”, said Liam Lowney, Executive Director for the Massachusetts Office for Victim Assistance. “This pandemic has increased isolation and economic distress, forcing many victims impacted by violence to lose their homes. During these unprecedented times it is essential that we support the victim serving organizations with the funding they need to meet the evolving needs of their clients.”
The challenges faced by victims of crime seeking housing services has been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Social distancing measures, lack of available congregate and/or shelter space, financial constraints due to high unemployment, and the expiration of the moratorium on evictions and foreclosures on October 17, 2020 have added significant burdens in accessing housing opportunities. Agencies receiving funding are uniquely positioned to support survivor populations navigate safe and available housing through their strong relationships within state government and the communities they serve.
“We have seen a substantial increase in the number of cases in our communities since the start of the pandemic, and it is essential that these victims are fully supported,” said Dulce Ferreira, MA, MAPS Director of Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Services. “We are very grateful for this additional funding, which will be crucial to help us prevent homelessness among hundreds of victims of crime in our communities.”
This temporary funding is in addition to $3.5M awarded in May 2020 to victim service programs throughout the Commonwealth for general emergency services as a result of the pandemic. MOVA since identified a specific additional need for housing stabilization funding to support survivors and victims of crime in Massachusetts.
MOVA operates under the guidance of the Victim and Witness Assistance Board (VWAB). The VWAB administers federal funds for victim services available through the Federal Victims of Crime Act of 1984 (VOCA), VOCA statute 34 USC 20103, which authorizes states to subaward annual VOCA grants for the financial support of eligible crime victim assistance programs.