More domestic abuse victims in Louisiana will be able to acquire housing thanks to a million-dollar grant awarded to the Louisiana Coalition Against Domestic Violence. Director Mariah Wineski said domestic violence is the leading cause of homelessness for women with children and the funds will help immensely.
“To provide rental assistance, transportation, childcare, and any other expenses necessary for a survivor to acquire or maintain safe housing,” said Wineski.
LCADV piloted the project earlier this year and partnered with eleven domestic violence organizations to provide housing assistance and more than 600 victims were able to benefit. Wineski says the Louisiana Commission on Law Enforcement grant could not have come at a better time for victims who have left their abuser.
“They secure safe housing away from their abuser only to lose their job and then face eviction as a result of this pandemic, so this funding allows domestic violence organizations to step in and help those folks,” said Wineski.
Wineski said often when a victim is trying to find safe and secure housing they are often discriminated against, despite laws to protect them, because their rental record is tarnished and could lack funds to pay deposits.
“Perhaps they shared a lease with their abuser and their abuser caused damage to the property, or their abuser’s action somehow got them evicted and now that shows up on her rental record,” said Wineski.
Louisiana ranks 5th in the nation for the rate of women murdered by men and Wineski believes the grant will hopefully contribute to reducing that number.
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