Domestic Violence and Family Justice

Boston Housing Authority (BHA) has several policies and programs to assist applicants and residents in situations of domestic violence and family justice.

The Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) policy is gender-neutral, and its protections are available to male and female victims of domestic violence, dating violence, or stalking. The VAWA includes the following principal goals and objectives:

• Maintaining compliance, including training of appropriate staff managing BHA properties, with all applicable legal requirements imposed by VAWA.
• Participating, with others, in protecting the physical safety of victims of actual or threatened domestic violence, dating violence, or stalking who are assisted by BHA.
• Providing and maintaining housing opportunities for victims of domestic violence, dating violence, or stalking.
• Cooperating, with others, in formation and maintenance of collaborative arrangements between BHA, law enforcement authorities, victim service providers, and others to promote the safety and well-being of victims of actual and threatened domestic violence, dating violence and stalking, who are assisted by BHA.
• Responding in accordance with BHA policies and procedures to incidents of domestic violence, dating violence, or stalking, affecting individuals assisted by BHA.
• The Family Abuse Law Advisory provides domestic violence victims information regarding their rights under the law.

Applicants who are victims of domestic violence may receive priority status on the waiting lists. Domestic Violence is a Public Housing Priority and Leased Housing/Section 8 Priority.  

The Violence Against Women and Justice Department Reauthorization Act of 2005 protects qualified tenants and family members of tenants who are victims of domestic violence, dating violence, or stalking from being evicted or terminated from housing assistance based on acts of such violence against them.
 

Domestic Violence Resources

Boston Police Department Family Justice Group
Mass Legal Help
Asian Task Force Against Domestic Violence
Casa Myrna