Family Violence Prevention and Services Act
The Family Violence Prevention and Services Act (FVPSA) provides the primary federal funding stream dedicated to the support of immediate shelter and supportive services for victims of domestic violence, family violence and dating violence and their dependents.
Domestic violence creates vulnerability to homelessness for women and children with limited economic resources. Among mothers with children experiencing homelessness, more than 80 percent have previously experienced domestic violence . Domestic violence often includes exertion of financial control, leaving victims with poor credit and few resources. Finding safe, affordable housing is one of the greatest obstacles that women who leave abusive partners face.
FVPSA support grants to States, Territories, Tribes and Domestic Violence Coalitions. A brief description of each type of grant as well as eligibility and funding details are outlined below.
State and Territorial Grants
Grants are awarded to State and Territory governments and subgranted to more than 1,300 community-based domestic violence shelter programs and 300 non-residential services programs.
Target Audience:
FVPSA Programs target current and former victims of domestic violence and their dependents, victim services providers in need of technical assistance and the overall community in need of education and awareness on domestic violence and related issues.
Funding Mechanism:
FVPSA State and Territorial formula grants make up 70 percent of FVPSA appropriations and are distributed based on a minimum award of $600,000, with the remaining funds to be allotted to each State through a population-based formula. Grants ranged from $702,000 to $7,682,000 in FY 2010. Guam, American Samoa, the United States Virgin Islands, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands are allotted not less than 1/8 of 1 percent of the amounts available.
Domestic Violence Coalition Grants
Each State, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Guam, and the U.S. Virgin Islands have a federally recognized Domestic Violence Coalition. These Coalitions serve as information clearinghouses and coordinate statewide domestic violence programs, outreach and activities. They provide technical assistance to local domestic violence programs (most of which are funded through subgrants from FVPSA State, Territorial and Tribal formula grants) and ensure best practices are developed and implemented.
Target Audience:
FVPSA Programs target current and former victims of domestic violence and their dependents, victim services providers in need of technical assistance and the overall community in need of education and awareness on domestic violence and related issues.
Eligible Applicants:
FVPSA supported state domestic violence coalitions which are limited to federally approved coalitions, one per state.
Funding Mechanism:
FVPSA Domestic Violence Coalition grants make up 10 percent of FVPSA appropriations. Funds are divided equally among all Coalitions. In FY 2010, each Coalition received $245,000.
Tribal Grants
The Family Violence Prevention and Services Act (FVPSA) Grants to Native American Tribes (including Alaska Native Villages) and Tribal Organizations are primarily for the provision of immediate shelter and related assistance for victims of domestic violence and their dependents. In addition, funds may also be used in establishing, maintaining, and expanding programs and projects to prevent domestic violence.
Target Audience:
FVPSA Programs target current and former victims of domestic violence and their dependents, victim services providers in need of technical assistance and the overall community in need of education and awareness on domestic violence and related issues.
Eligible Applicants:
Funding is available to all Native American Tribes and Tribal Organizations that meet the definition of “Indian Tribe” or “Tribal Organization” at 25 U.S.C. 450b, and are able to demonstrate their capacity to carry out domestic violence prevention and services programs.
Funding Mechanism:
FVPSA Tribal Program grants make up 10 percent of FVPSA appropriations. The size of awards is dependent upon the Tribal census and the number of Tribes applying. In FY 2009 the awards ranged from $26,592 to $2,326,834 for each of the approximately 200 tribes receiving funding.
