Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Crisis Services to build transitional housing for survivors

Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Crisis Services (DVIP & RVAP) is planning a new transitional housing project in Iowa City, aiming to provide survivors of domestic and sexual violence a safe and stable path forward. In partnership with the city and the Iowa Finance Authority (IFA), the nonprofit is planning to construct six townhomes with a two-year tenancy in east Iowa City. Up to 97% of domestic violence survivors experience economic abuse, which translates into unique challenges securing permanent housing, according to DVIP & RVAP Director of Community Engagement Alta Medea. “There's other issues, (like) job stability. Often, victims are stalked for upwards of 24 months (after) leaving their abuser, and so there's unique challenges that they face” after leaving, she said. “Ensuring that they have the support, both financially and from an advocate with that safety planning and understanding of their specific situations, (is) really important.” Plans for the project have been underway for more than a year, Ms. Medea said. In 2024, DVIP & RVAP received a $2.49 million federal grant through the HOME-ARP program, administered by the IFA, to help fund the development. The award will cover both supportive services and operating costs. Iowa City partnered with DVIP & RVAP on the fund application, offering a parcel of land assessed at $270,000 to help fulfill the 25% match requirement. In February 2024, the City Council approved a $270,000 Affordable Housing Fund grant agreement, contingent on DVIP & RVAP receiving the federal money. “The new housing will offer support and advocacy focused on immediate and long-term safety to address domestic violence and homelessness in our community,” the June 8 Iowa City Council agenda stated. The townhomes are expected to be move-in ready by April 2026. A public hearing on the city's plan to transfer the property to the organization will be held during the council’s Aug. 5 meeting.

Risk to victims has increased

The transitional housing project is the latest expansion effort for the nonprofit, which opened the Terry Fortmann Emergency Shelter in 2024. According to Ms. Medea, DVIP & RVAP's shelter is full 365 days a year and houses approximately 700 individuals annually, half of them children. In FY2024, the nonprofit served more than 2,500 people through its outreach and emergency shelter services. “The risk to victim survivors’ lives has increased by 33% over the last eight years,” Ms. Medea said. “In addition with the economic constraints for everyone – the cost of living going up, inflation, lack of affordable housing, basic needs being more expensive – all of that has added extra barriers, and so we're seeing an increase of providing direct aid or direct support to meet those basic needs of victims.” Approximately 56% of DVIP & RVAP's funding derives from state and federal dollars. The rest is supplemented by individual donations, grants, foundations and events. Ms. Medea said uncertainty around state and federal funding – along with changing requirements and allowable uses – has created a difficult financial landscape for the organization. “We have expanded our call for individual donations,” she said. “We have an accessible giving campaign which allows folks to give monthly…every dollar counts, and so (if) folks are able to contribute $35 or to $75 a month, that helps provide for one night of safety in our emergency shelter a month. And having that monthly sustainable giving helps us rely and know what numbers we can count on to support victims.” In addition to cash donations, the organization offers a range of volunteer opportunities for those who wish to help. DVIP & RVAP regularly shares its top requested items on social media, which vary based on the needs of those being served. “Any of those in-kind donations help us produce the items that we need to buy, and we can put those dollars to providing direct aid and supporting victim survivors,” Ms. Medea said. To find out more on how to support DVIP & RVAP, visit https://dvipiowa.org/get-involved/. If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic or sexual violence, help is available. DVIP & RVAP's services are free, confidential and available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Call 1-800-228-1625 or 1-800-373-1043.