When Policy Is Not Enough: Intimate Partner Violence Survivors' Search for Housing Assistance in Washington, D.C

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Sociology
• Social Work

Background:

• Intimate partner violence (IPV) is linked to housing instability.
• Existing policies aim to support survivors, but practical implementation often falls short.
• Survivor needs frequently remain unmet despite policy frameworks.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the experiences of survivors seeking emergency housing assistance.
• To identify barriers and facilitators in accessing housing support for IPV survivors.
• To evaluate the effectiveness of current policies in meeting survivor needs.

Main Methods:

• Community-based participatory research approach.
• Interviews with 41 survivors seeking emergency housing at a public gateway in Washington, D.C.
• Qualitative analysis of survivor experiences and systemic factors.

Main Results:

• Only 4 out of 41 survivors received immediate housing assistance.
• Half of the survivors were deemed ineligible for services.
• Many survivors faced long wait times, shaming, and demoralizing treatment, increasing their risk.
• Discriminatory narratives and system resource scarcity influenced service provision.

Conclusions:

• Current implementation of housing policies for IPV survivors is inadequate.
• Systemic issues like discriminatory beliefs and resource limitations create significant barriers.
• A sustained, critical, and collaborative evaluation of policy implementation is recommended to improve support for survivors.