Housing Rights for Victims of Domestic Violence

For more than 10 years, Legal Momentum has recognized that women who are victims of violence can also be targets of housing discrimination, just when maintaining their home is most critical.

Legal Momentum’s primary goal is to strengthen and expand the housing rights of victims of gender-based violence on a national scale.  In doing so, we seek to help to help women victimized by domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking keep safe housing while breaking free from violent relationships or recovering from the trauma of assault.  To achieve these goals, Legal Momentum combines public education, advocacy, and targeted litigation.

Reports and Resources:

Article on Legal Theories: Although many states have enacted laws that explicitly prohibit housing discrimination against survivors of domestic and sexual violence and stalking, such protection is not uniform throughout the United States. These resources discuss legal theories -- under federal and state fair housing laws and constitutional equal protection claims -- that also can be employed to help abuse victims.  

Court Cases: Legal Momentum litigates to ensure housing rights for victims of domestic violence. We have also compiled a list of additional housing discrimination cases that may be helpful.

HUD Materials: Legal Momentum and other advocates work to ensure that Congress and the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) understand the public housing issues faced by victims of abuse.

Legislative Advocacy: Legal Momentum advocates for federal, state, and local laws to protect victims of domestic violence from housing discrimination.  

Model Demand Letter to Landlord (Word Document): When private landlords discriminate against survivors of domestic and sexual assault and stalking, there are steps you can take to try to reverse that decision without bringing a lawsuit. This model letter provides a guide for violence victims to challenge discrimination.

VAWA 2005 Housing Fact Sheet (PDF): Legal Momentum led the effort to pass the federal Violence Against Women Act and continues to promote programs supporting and protecting the housing rights of violence victims under the Act and at the state level.