Impact of the Domestic Violence Housing First Model on Survivors’ Safety and Housing Stability: 12-Month Findings

Abstract

Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a widespread and devastating phenomenon resulting in a myriad of long-term consequences for survivors and their children. IPV victimization not only has negative health and economic consequences, it has also been linked to homelessness and housing instability. In response, the Domestic Violence Housing First (DVHF) model is being used in some domestic violence (DV) agencies to help survivors attain safe and stable housing. The model includes using individualized advocacy and/or flexible funding to help survivors meet these goals. Using a longitudinal, quasi-experimental design, the current study involved conducting interviews with survivors and examining agency records to investigate the effectiveness of this model. We hypothesized that survivors who received DVHF would experience less re-abuse and greater housing stability over 12 months compared to those who received services as usual (SAU). The sample included 345 IPV survivors who had been homeless or unstably housed when they approached one of five DV programs for help. Interviews were spaced 6 months apart (when survivors first sought services as well as 6 months and 12 months later). Longitudinal analyses showed that survivors who received the DVHF model reported greater improvements in housing stability at both the 6-month and 12-month time points compared to those receiving SAU. At the 12-month time point, survivors who had received DVHF reported decreased physical, psychological, and economic abuse, as well as the use of their children against them as a form of abuse. This study adds to a growing body of evidence supporting this model’s effectiveness and adds to our understanding of factors impacting the long-term housing stability and safety for IPV survivors.

Domestic Violence Housing First Model and Association With Survivors’ Housing Stability, Safety, and Well-being Over 2 Years

“…In this comparative effectiveness study, survivors who received the DVHF intervention experienced improved housing stability, safety, and mental health over 2 years compared with those who received SAU. Results corroborated findings from a pilot study of the DVHF model as well as analyses of the current study’s data across 6 and 12 months . It is promising that DVHF resulted in relatively rapid improvements for survivors (6 months after they sought services) and that these positive changes were maintained across 12, 18, and 24 months.…”

“…Results corroborated findings from a pilot study of the DVHF model 30 as well as analyses of the current study’s data across 6 and 12 months. 27 , 31 It is promising that DVHF resulted in relatively rapid improvements for survivors (6 months after they sought services) and that these positive changes were maintained across 12, 18, and 24 months.…”

Collaborative Interpretation of Researcher-Generated Photo-Elicitation Findings: Insights From Women With Lived Experience of Homelessness

“…Women experiencing homelessness face a range of health and social issues that often are intertwined and mutually reinforcing. These include a high likelihood of domestic violence or trauma, leading to housing instability ( Sullivan et al, 2023 ), and increased risk of mental health problems such as symptoms of depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress ( Beijer et al, 2018 ). Women in homelessness may also struggle with substance use, both to manage the stresses of homelessness and the subsequent underlying mental health or trauma issues ( Arnos & Acevedo, 2023 ; Beijer et al, 2018 ).…”

From Philosophy to Practice: Designing a Multi-Method, Multi-Stage Program Evaluation of the Wisconsin Domestic Violence Housing First Pilot Program

“…For instance, in California and Washington, 93% of DV survivors who received DVHF funding reported that they had learned more ways to plan for their safety and 96% of survivors reported feeling more hopeful about the future. 12 Additionally, a recent analysis of 345 homeless or unstably housed DV survivors found that DVHF resulted in greater housing stability and decreased economic abuse by partners over 6 months compared to DV survivors who received typical services. 13 In studies of homeless populations with significant psychiatric and substance-use comorbidity, those who received HF had higher rates of permanent housing, were better able to maintain permanent, independent housing, and had lower rates of substance abuse compared to those who did not receive HF.…”

“…The final aspect of the study design involves the inclusion of “control” sites and participants. While previous work has studied the outcomes of participants who receive DVHF assistance 13 , 26 , 27 or the difference between participants and non-participants at DVHF sites, 28 these approaches may underestimate the effects of DVHF programing because of spillover effects. Since demand for DV services always outpaces available funds and programs, program staff must often make difficult decisions about how and to whom services are offered.…”