|
Consequences of Domestic Violence
In 2006, there were between 3500 and 4000 emergency department visits as a result of intimate partner violence. (Department of Health and Mental Hygiene)
Domestic violence was the third leading cause of homicide in New York City from 2003-2005.*
There were 71 family related homicides in 2006. 83% of these cases had no prior contact with the police and 94% did not have an order of protection. (Mayor’s office to Combat DV, Domestic Violence Fact Sheet Calendar-year 2006)
In FY07 (July 2006 to June 2007), there were 16,769 unduplicated calls from domestic violence survivors requesting safe shelter through the city’s domestic violence hotline. (Safe Horizon Hotline Data)
21% of families in the general homeless system reported having a history of domestic violence. In over 80% of these families, domestic violence was found to have contributed a lot to their homelessness. (Vera Institute of Justice, Understanding Family Homelessness in NYC, 2005)
Access to Temporary Housing
There are 2,084 specialized emergency domestic violence shelter beds in 40 shelters serving and average of 880 households in NYC per day. This system, unlike the general homeless system, has a state mandated length of stay of 135 days or 4 ½ months. (Human Resources Administration, ODVEIS)
There are 217 units in 8 specialized transitional or Tier II shelters serving 249 households. (Human Resources Administration, ODVEIS)
The Tier II system is only 1/3 the size of the emergency system so only 20 % of families move through the continuum of care from emergency to transitional shelter for an additional 6 month stay.** As a result, most families are expected to move from emergency shelter directly to permanent housing within 4 ½ months.
Access to Permanent Housing
Only 18% of domestic violence survivors leave emergency shelter for permanent housing.**
Of the 18% of families who went to permanent housing, 65% moved to housing with a private landlord using a Housing Stability Plus (HSP) voucher .** These families were not provided with any services and were expected to pay an increasing rent burden as their supplement decreases over five years.
From May 2006 to May 2007, 25% of domestic violence survivors discharged from the domestic violence shelter system were referred to the intake center of the general homeless shelter system.** When applying to this system, survivors must re-qualify as homeless and are no longer considered in danger or in need of specialized services.
Independent Budget Office (IBO) findings show that only $400, 000 of capital funding was specifically earmarked for the development of domestic violence permanent housing in New York City in 2005.
*NYPD Statistics, As Reported in the NY Times, April 28, 2006
**Coalition of Domestic Violence Residential Providers Monthly Discharge Survey Data, May 2006- May 2007
Prepared November 2007 |
