Domestic Violence Protections (VAWA)

To All Tenants and Applicants
The Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) provides protections for victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking. VAWA protections are not only available to women but are available equally to all individuals regardless of sex, gender identity, or sexual orientation. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) is the Federal agency that oversees West Palm Beach Housing Authority's Public Housing and Housing Choice Voucher Program in compliance with VAWA. This notice explains your rights under VAWA. A HUD-approved certification form is attached to this notice. You can fill out this form to show that you are or have been a victim of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking and that you wish to use your rights under VAWA.

Protections for Applicants
If you otherwise qualify for assistance under the WPBHA Public Housing or Housing Choice Voucher Program, you cannot be denied admission or assistance because you are or have been a victim of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking.

Help Resources
You may view a copy of HUD's final VAWA rule here.

For help regarding an abusive relationship, you may call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1.800.799.7233 or, for persons with hearing impairments, 1.800.787.3224 (TTY).

Tenants who are or have been victims of stalking seeking help may visit the National Center for Victims of Crime's Stalking Resource Center.

For help regarding sexual assault or stalking, you may contact:

• Sexual Assault National Hotline: 1.800.656.HOPE (4673)

Please click here to visit the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development's Violence Against Women Acts page, where you can find the Certification of Domestic Violence Form (HUD-5382) and the Emergency Transfer Request Form (HUD-5383)