Violence Against Women Act
What is VAWA?
Initially passed in 1994, the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act (VAWA) created the first U.S. federal legislation acknowledging domestic violence and sexual assault as crimes and provided federal resources to encourage community-coordinated responses to combating violence. The Housing Choice Voucher and HOME programs must be operated allowing for the protections of VAWA.
This law is not limited to women and it extends to any person without regard to sex, sexual identity, sexual orientation, or age. VAWA prohibits denial of assistance, tenancy, or occupancy rights to victims based solely on criminal activity related to an act of domestic violence committed against them. It does not protect the perpetrator.
To understand your rights under VAWA, please review HUD Form 5380 below.
Where can I get more information on VAWA?
More information can be found in AHA’s Administrative Plan for information on how the AHA handles VAWA of the Housing Authority. Chapter 3 contains information for applicants and Chapter 12 contains for participants receiving assistance under the Housing Choice Voucher and Project-Based Voucher Programs.
The Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2013 is available through the Government Printing Office at:
Where can I find other information and resources?
For information and resources in Alameda County, ranging from emergency shelters and legal support to transportation and utility support please refer to the information packet attached below.
How does a victim claim VAWA?
If you are a current applicant or participant of the AHA, you can ask for protections under VAWA by filling out HUD Form 5382 below and sending the form to Sepideh Kiumarsi via email at skiumarsi@alamedahsg.org or by sending it to the AHA office located at 701 Atlantic Avenue, Alameda CA 94501, addressed to Sepideh Kiumarsi.
Does the Housing Authority have an Emergency Transfer Plan?
The Housing Authority of the City of Alameda has an emergency transfer plan for participants under the Housing Choice Voucher Program, Project-Based Voucher Programs, Moderate Rehabilitation Program, Shelter Plus Care Program, and the HOME program. For the emergency transfer plan, click the button below.
How does a victim of VAWA request an Emergency Transfer?
If you are a current participant of the AHA, you can request an emergency transfer under VAWA by filling out HUD Form 5383 below and sending the form to Sepideh Kiumarsi via email at skiumarsi@alamedahsg.org or by sending it to the AHA office located at 701 Atlantic Avenue, Alameda CA 94501, addressed to Sepideh Kiumarsi. Please note that you’ll also need to fill out HUD Form 5382 Certification of VAWA as explained above.
What are the Confidentiality Requirements?
If you share information with AHA about why you need VAWA protections, AHA must keep the information you share strictly confidential. This information will be secured and kept separately from your other tenant files. No one who works for AHA will have access to this information, unless there is a reason that specifically calls for them to access this information, AHA explicitly authorizes their access for that reason, and that authorization is consistent with applicable law.
Your information will not be disclosed to anyone else or put in a database shared with anyone else, except in the
following situations:
If you give AHA written permission to share the information for a limited time; or
If AHA needs to use that information in an eviction proceeding or hearing; or
If other applicable law requires the covered housing provider to share the information.
Other information and resources
If you would like the AHA to share your information with another individual such as a family member, legal advocate, social worker, or other individual, please fill out the Release of Information form below and send the form to Sepideh Kiumarsi via email at skiumarsi@alamedahsg.org or send it to the AHA office located at 701 Atlantic Avenue, Alameda CA 94501, addressed to Sepideh Kiumarsi.
If you would like to be connected to AHA’s social service provider, please fill out the LifeSTEPS Referral form below and send the form to Sepideh Kiumarsi via email at skiumarsi@alamedahsg.org or send it to the AHA office located at 701 Atlantic Avenue, Alameda CA 94501, addressed to Sepideh Kiumarsi.
If you need a Reasonable Accommodation, please fill out the instructions provided here: https://www.alamedahsg.org/reasonable-accommodations/
What do I need to know as a Landlord?
Landlords under the Housing Choice Voucher program have to comply with VAWA. A landlord may not evict a tenant if the basis of the eviction is solely on criminal activity against a victim that is protected under VAWA. VAWA does not limit the legal authority of AHA or a landlord to terminate the assistance of any participant if it “can demonstrate an actual and imminent threat to other tenants or those employed at or providing service to the property if that tenant is not evicted or terminated from assistance.” It also does not protect the perpetrator.