U.S. Justice Department Awards Transitional Housing Grant Assistance To Two New Jersey Organizations

NEWARK, N.J. – The U.S. Department of Justice Office on Violence Against Woman today awarded more than $550,000 in grants to two New Jersey organizations that provide housing assistance to victims of sexual assault, domestic or dating violence and stalking, U.S. Attorney Paul J. Fishman announced.

Jersey Battered Women’s Services (JBWS) Inc. of Morristown, New Jersey, was awarded a $305,576 grant and 180 Turning Lives Around Inc. of Hazlet, New Jersey, was awarded a $255,284 grant. Both grants were made through the Transitional Housing Grant Assistance program.

The primary purpose of the Transitional Housing Assistance Program is to provide aid to victims of sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence, and stalking who are homeless, or in need of transitional housing, or other housing assistance, including short-term housing assistance and supportive services; and for whom emergency shelter services or other crisis intervention services are unavailable or insufficient. The program also focuses on supporting a holistic, victim-centered approach to provide transitional housing services that move individuals into permanent housing. It is critical that successful transitional housing programs provide a wide range of flexible and optional services that reflect the differences and individual needs of victims and that allow victims to choose the course of action that is best for them.

JBWS will partner with Literacy Volunteers of Morris County for ESL instruction, the Women’s Center for computer classes, the Health Careers Program at the County College of Morris for access to high-earning career tracks, the Northwest New Jersey Community Action Partnership (NORWESCAP) for financial literacy, Child & Family Resources for child care referral as well as parenting education, and the Greater Morristown YMCA for afterschool and summer camp care. These partnerships will provide a broader range of supportive services needed and requested by clients. Housing and supportive services will be co-located in a cluster model facility for 11 families. The project will provide at least 30 victims the tools necessary to become self-sufficient and achieve long-term safety.

180 Turning Lives Around is a non-profit organization located in Monmouth County, New Jersey, a county encompassing both some of the richest and some of the poorest municipalities in the state. Monmouth County, with a population of 629,735, has had either the 2nd or 3rd highest number of domestic violence reports out of New Jersey’s 21 counties during the past five years. 180 will partner with Long Branch Concordance and contracted service providers to support 10 families in the 180 agency owned scattered site townhomes. 180 Turning Lives Around will limit its use of Transitional Housing Assistance Grant Program funds to supportive services. Funds for housing are designated from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

For more information about this grant, contact the Office on Violence Against Women,  Outreach and Communications Division, at (202) 307-6026.