Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) Resources
Confronting Domestic Violence, Dating Violence, Sexual Assault and Stalking
VAWA crimes—defined as domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault and stalking—remain a pervasive problem across the country, including in MassHousing developments. In 2016, the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) issued guidance in relation to the 2013 reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA).
This page links to many important resources related to VAWA and Massachusetts state law as well as the MassHousing publication, The Violence Against Women Act (VAWA), Massachusetts State Law and Housing: An Overview for Housing Providers. Although the funding (appropriations) for the Violence Against Women’s Act of 2013 has expired, the statute and regulations that contain VAWA's housing protections remain in effect; there is no expiration date on those protections. HUD's representatives have also confirmed that HUD Covered Housing Providers must comply with the Department's regulations and guidance.
Since 2019, MassHousing has been honored to serve as co-chairs of the Housing Stability and Self-Sufficiency subcommittee of the Governor’s Council to Address Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence. For more information on domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault and stalking in housing, contact David Eng at 617.854.1089 or Kara Pillsbury Johnson at 617.854.1036.
General VAWA and MA State Law Related Information
- 2013 Reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA)
- Guidelines for Massachusetts Law Enforcement Response to Adult Sexual Assault
- Guidelines for Massachusetts Law Enforcement Response to Domestic Violence
- Housing Rights of Domestic Violence Survivors: A State and Local Law Compendium (Prepared by the National Housing Law Project. Massachusetts is on pg. 88-95)
- Massachusetts State Law: An Act relative to housing rights for victims of domestic violence, rape, sexual assault and stalking
- New Housing Rights for Victims of Domestic Violence, Rape, Sexual Assault and Stalking (Prepared by Boston Area Rape Crisis Center, Greater Boston Legal Services, Jane Doe Inc. and Victim Rights Law Center)
HUD and MassHousing Policies, Procedures, and Forms
- Disparate Impact 24 CFR Part 100 Implementation of the Fair Housing Act’s Discriminatory Effects Standard
- Fair Housing Act Guidance
- FHEO Domestic Violence Memo
- Guidance for Public Housing Agencies (PHAs) and Owners of Federally-Assisted Housing on Excluding the Use of Arrest Records in Housing Decisions
- Office of General Counsel Guidance on Application of Fair Housing Act Standards to the Use of Criminal Records by Providers of Housing and Real Estate-Related Transactions
- Q&As with Multifamily Staff – Part I
- Relevant HUD Forms (available in multiple languages)
- Notice of Occupancy Rights Under the Violence Against Women Act, Form HUD-5380
- Model Emergency Transfer Plan for Victims of Domestic Violence, Dating Violence, Sexual Assault, or Stalking, Form HUD-5381
- Certification of Domestic Violence, Dating Violence, Sexual Assault, or Stalking and Alternate Documentation, Form HUD-5382
- Emergency Transfer Request for Certain Victims of Domestic Violence, Dating Violence, Sexual Assault, or Stalking, Form HUD-5383
- Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) Reauthorization Act of 2013 – Additional Guidance for Multifamily Owners and Management Agents
- Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2013 Guidance
- Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2013: Implementation in HUD Housing Programs
MassHousing Publications
Information and Resources
- Department of Public Health: Violence Prevention and Intervention Services
- Governor’s Council to Address Sexual and Domestic Violence
- Jane Doe, Inc.
- Massachusetts Office for Victim Assistance
- Massachusetts Victims of Violent Crime Compensation
- Safe Housing Partnerships
- Simmons College School of Social Work: Domestic Violence Training
- Vicarious Trauma Toolkit