AWAIC provides a path to housing

For more than 20 years, Anchorage’s main shelter serving domestic violence survivors also has not only provided safety in the moment, but has helped clients transition to stable housing.

Women, and men, turn to Abused Women’s Aid in Crisis (AWAIC) for shelter. One way that AWAIC helps them take the next step is through its Continuum of Care grant for rapid re-housing.

Those being hurt by their partner may be controlled financially as well as abused physically, said Heidi Hill, AWAIC’s grants and program director. “They may not have the funds to move on.”

With its rapid re-housing grant, AWAIC connects clients with landlords and a case manager and pledges a year of support for rent. The year-long support is new. Before, AWAIC guaranteed six months of rent, then stepped down its support over the next three months. With a tight housing market, property owners wanted more assurance, Hill said.

Clients choose their own apartment. They may want to be near work or their kid’s school. Getting a place of their own helps in the long run, too. Children who have experienced homelessness are more at risk of being unhoused as an adult.

“A lot of people we serve haven’t had that stability,” Hill said. “They’ve had so much taken from them already.”

They may choose a new neighborhood so they don’t run into the abuser. Leaving is often the most dangerous time, Hill said. Many victims try to leave multiple times before they succeed. Knowing they will have a safe place of their own empowers them to take that step, she said.

Because this support is through the Anchorage Continuum of Care grant funded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, referrals must come through the Coordinated Entry process. That adds a step but helps our community track how supports are working and where the gaps are.

Over the last five years, AWAIC has helped 51 families get housing through this program.

Anyone experiencing domestic violence or wanting more information about how to help a loved one is encouraged to call AWAIC’s 24-hour crisis line at 907-272-0100.