Oct 27, 2009

The Elder Abuse Institute recently received news that the agency was awarded $570,000 over three years to develop transitional housing for elder victims of domestic violence, sexual assualt and stalking through the US DOJ Office on Violence Against Women.

Through this funding, the Elder Abuse Institute will provide housing in a home in Portland and will create a web of supportive services for an estimated 150 elder victims coordinated by Elder Services Case Managers strategically located in domestic violence agencies from across the state.  

The goal of the Transitional Housing Program is to provide appropriate and accessible transitional housing services and support in the State of Maine to enable elder victims of intimate partner abuse to move from an environment in which abuse occurs to safe and permanent housing. 

The objectives of the project include: Creating a transitional residence in Portland that will house 3 victims of abuse, Maine;  Engaging existing housing providers from across the state to make transitional and permanent housing options accessible for older victims; Creating a statewide web of support services to provide holistic and individualized services to elder victims of abuse;  and, increasing the knowledge base and awareness level of domestic violence and geriatric social workers in order to bolster long-term systems change. 

The Elder Abuse Institute expects housing to be available to victims by Spring 2010. 

For more information, contact the Elder Abuse Institute at 1-888-819-3666.

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