Senate Community Budget Issue Requests - Tracking Id #1549 Transitional Housing for Battered Victims
Requester:	Cheryl Rogers		Organization:		AVDA - Aid to Victims of Domestic Abuse, Inc.
Project Title:	Transitional Housing for Battered Victims		Date Submitted:		01/31/2000 1:27:16 PM
District Member:	Mandy Dawson		Service Area:		Statewide
Counties Affected:	{Statewide}
Recipient:	AVDA - Aid to Victims of Domestic Abuse, Inc.		Contact:		Cheryl Rogers
	Post Office Box 667		Contact Phone:		(561) 265-3797
	Delray Beach 33447
Project Description:
A one-time allocation of 750,000 is requested to construct a 9,500 square foot addition to its emergency shelter which will also include landscaping and an enlarged parking area. (This component is the second phase of a two phase project). This construction will provide an additional forty (40) beds for transitional housing for battered women nd their children who have left AVDA's emergency shelter after a 6-8 week stay. This addition will enable them to stay at the facility for up to one year during which time they will be able to save for safe affordable permanent housing. It is anticipated that completion of this phase will help approximately 80-120 additional women and children during any one year period.
Services Provided/Benefit to State:
AVDA will provide the following services: 24 hour secured transitional housing, comprehensive domestic violence counseling, on-site child care transportation services, housing advocacy and case management. Comprehensive services will assist in the prevention of Florida residents from becoming homeless or returning to their abusers. Case managers will work with a life skills counselor who is trained in domestic violence counseling. This team approach will allow on-going therapeutic services together with life skills traning and extended case management. Battered women will have the tools to achieve defined goals as well as encouragement to attain self-determination and independence. Case managers will assist residents with housing advocacy, identifying barriers and assistance in overcoming them. Transitional housing will provide women and children with a safe environment where they can live with dignity, safety and independence. The investment the State of Florida makes in providing its survivors of domestic violence with transitional housing, will help lower the costs associated with the crime of domestic violence and will ultimately save the taxpayers millions of dollars per year. The shelter expansion and new construction will provide momentum in the effort to curtail domestic violence in the State of Florida. If AVDA receives funding, transitional housing and supportive services will give battered women and children an opportunity to stay in a safe, secure housing program and receive comprehensive services. Battered women will have a better chance of successfully obtaining employment, financial independence and locating safe affordable housing.
Measurable Outcome Anticipated:
1. AVDA will provide transitional housing to 80-120 battered women and children exiting from emergency shelter. A resident's duration of stay is 3 months to 1 year. AVDA anticipates an average stay of 6 months. 2. AVDA will provide comprehensive case management and advocacy to approximately 80-120 women and children. 3. 90% of all transitional housing residents will achieve three personal goals including obtaining safe, affordable permanent housing.
Amount requested from the State for this project this year:				$750,000
Total cost of the project:		$1,200,000

Request has been made to fund:			Operations and Construction
Is there Local Government or Private match for this request?					Yes
	Cash Amount:	$600,000		In-Kind Amount:	$20,800
Was this project previously funded by the State?					No
Is future-year funding likely to be requested?					Unknown
Was this project included in an Agency's Budget Request?					Unknown
Was this project included in the Governor's Recommended Budget?					Unknown
Is there a documented need for this project?					Yes
	Documentation:	Client Surveys, Community Surveys
Was this project request heard before a publicly noticed meeting of a body of elected officials (municipal, county, or state)?					Yes
	Hearing Body:	Palm Beach County Legislative Delegation
	Meeting Date:	02/01/2000