The Violence Against Women Act gives victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault and stalking new protections for obtaining and maintaining housing and housing assistance. The law is meant to protect victims from consequences of domestic violence.
Selection: “That an applicant or participant is or has been a victim of domestic violence, dating violence, or stalking is not an appropriate basis for denial of program assistance or for denial of admission of an otherwise qualified applicant.”
Lease Terms Regarding Termination: “An incident or incidents of actual or threatened domestic violence, dating violence, or stalking will not be construed as a serious or repeated violation of the lease by the victim or threatened victim of that violence and shall not be good cause for terminating the assistance, tenancy, or occupancy rights of the victim of such violence.
Termination of Assistance/Eviction: “Criminal activity directly relating to domestic violence, dating violence, or stalking engaged in by a member of a tenant’s household or any guest or other person under the tenant’s control shall not be cause for termination of assistance, tenancy, or occupancy rights if the tenant or an immediate member of the tenant’s family is the victim or threatened victim of that domestic violence, dating violence, or stalking.”
The new law requires certification of status. The individual must certify (in writing) his or her status as a victim of domestic violence, dating violence, or stalking in order to qualify for the protections implemented in this statute which also provides for the confidentiality of that certification. Certification forms are available at the Housing Authority.
For more information, or for a copy of the general information on Landlord/Tenant Issues For Survivors of Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault and/or Stalking provided by Northwest Justice Project please contact Melanie Pilkenton at 425-290-8499 ext. 519 or Ken Emerson at 425-290-8499 ext. 547.