Gothamist: Single DV Survivors Are Often Denied Shelter, SAFE Shelter Act Can Change That

Single adults without children are often denied access to domestic violence shelters in New York City because of the way the state funds special shelters. Last year, over half of domestic violence hotline callers were single adults but only one-tenth of those callers were connected to a domestic violence shelter.

Domestic violence shelters are setup for survivors fleeing with children. The state pays providers based on a per-person, per-night basis so providers lose money when they put a single person in a room meant for a family.

Advocates, including Volunteers of America-Greater New York, are calling on Gov. Kathy Hochul to sign the SAFE Shelter Act, legislation that would make the state pay the full cost of a room, even if it’s occupied by a single person.

Catherine Trapani, assistant vice president of public policy at VOA-GNY, spoke to Gothamist about the issue.

“We’re just saying that we don’t want money to be the reason that a single person doesn’t get a bed. That should never be the reason,” she said.

New York’s current funding model disporportionately affects survivors who are LGBTQ+, older adults, or victims of sex trafficking, who are often single when they seek shelter.

VOA-GNY operates six domestic violence shelters in the city and has lost $1 million last year for housing single survivors.

Read the full article at Gothamist.