Violence Against Women’s Act
Instructor: Sonja Horn McGaha – DASH Compliance

The Violence Against Women Act of 1994 or, as it is more commonly called, “VAWA” is a federal law that was created to provide survivors of domestic violence housing protections in affordable housing. VAWA is essential to ensure that survivors do not lose their housing or are denied housing for being a victim of violence enacted upon them. 

VAWA went into effect for the first time in 2005 applying to Section 8 properties but was expanded in 2013 to include most other affordable housing programs including LIHTC, HOME and RD.

This session will go over any new updates that expanded the law in 2013 as well as any new updated included in the 2022 update.

Topics of Discussion will be:

• VAWA Overview
• VAWA Reauthorization of 2013 Expansion

• Types of violence
• Lease bifurcation
• Emergency transfers
• ​Termination of assistance 
• HUD Final Rule
• Documentation requirements
• Ensuring confidentiality
• Implementation of Other Housing Programs