Skip to main content
Press Release

Department of Justice Awards Sojourner House $550,000 for Transitional Housing Assistance

For Immediate Release
District of Rhode Island
DOJ has provided more than $1million dollars to Sojourner House in the past month for critically needed housing projects

PROVIDENCE – United States Attorney Aaron L. Weisman today announced the Department of Justice Office on Violence Against Women has awarded Sojourner House $550,000 to fund a Transitional Housing Program.

The Transitional Housing Program provides aid to victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking who are homeless, or in need of transitional housing or other housing assistance, as a result of their victimization, and for whom emergency shelter services or other crisis intervention services are unavailable or insufficient.

In August, the Department of Justice’s Office of Justice Programs and its component, the Office for Victims of Crime, awarded a $499,998 grant to Sojourner House to provide safe, stable housing and appropriate services to victims of human trafficking.

“I am pleased the Department of Justice continues to recognize the critical support Sojourner House provides to our community by providing much needed financial support,” said United States Attorney Aaron L. Weisman. “Sadly, incidents of domestic violence and other forms of violence, particularly against women, have spiked during these unprecedented times. The Transitional Housing Program, and other support services provided by Sojourner House and by agencies across the state, are providing much needed support and resources, often times a lifeline, to victims at a time when they are most vulnerable.”

According to Sojourner House’s grant application, the funds will be used to provide housing and supportive services to move survivors of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking who are homeless to permanent housing. The project will assist clients for between 6 and 24 months.

Services offered will focus on empowering victims towards self-sufficiency as well as meeting the needs of the underserved Hispanic, Spanish-speaking, immigrant, Deaf, rural, LGBTQIA+, men, and human trafficking survivor population in the region. The range of optional services will include: rental and utility assistance, case management, safety planning, childcare, transportation, career counseling, financial and credit counseling, support groups, individual counseling, job training, education attainment, limited legal assistance, and housing advocacy.

###

Contact

Jim Martin
(401) 709-5357

Updated September 9, 2020

Topic
Grants
Press Release Number: 20-113