VAWA and the PHA Plan

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On January 5, 2006, President Bush signed VAWA into law as Public Law 109-162. Section 603 of the law amends Section 5A of the U.S. Housing Act (42 U.S.C. 1437c-1) to require PHAs five-year and annual PHA Plans to contain information regarding any goals, activities, objectives, policies, or programs of the PHA that are intended to support or assist victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking. On March 16, 2007 a Federal Register Notice was published regarding the applicability of VAWA to HUD Programs. This FR provided further guidance on VAWA and provided that PHAs must include the statement required by VAWA 2005 in the PHAs next regularly scheduled plan submission. PHAs are encouraged to amend or modify their plans before the next regular submission as provided in 24 CFR 903.21.


When including VAWA in your plan, PHAs must include as an attachment to the plan a description of (1) any activities, services, or programs provided or offered by an agency, either directly or in partnership with other service providers, to child or adult victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking; (2) any activities, services, or programs provided or offered that helps child or adult victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking to obtain or maintain housing; (3) any activities, services, or programs provided or offered to prevent domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking, or to enhance victim safety in assisted families. PHAs are also encouraged to describe in its VAWA statement the PHA procedures in place that assures that tenants are notified of their rights under VAWA.