My Christmas Tree

It may be up a while

Section 8 & VAWA - Violence Against Women Act

SC State Housing Finance and Development Authority:�VAWA

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month (DVAM). Everyone who knows me knows that this particular cause is near and dear to my heart. Every October I usually blog something about Domestic Violence. In the past I was big on quoting statistics and encouraging my readers to support victims. This year I will focus more on providing information that will benefit the victims themselves.

So, last night I was on the SC State Housing website and I ran across the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA). I learned that the housing authority cannot discriminate against Domestic Violence (DV) Victims. When I first read it, I thought, "Cool".

However, I had to read deeper to get the full details. The following sums up what I learned about how Section 8 assistance affects domestic violence, dating violence and stalking victims and abusers:

• The housing authority cannot deny rental assistance because someone is a victim of domestic violence, dating violence, or stalking.
• A victim CANNOT be terminated or evicted based on acts or threats against them.
• You can be evicted because of actual and imminent (immediate) threats to other tenants or employees at your property if you remain in the housing.
• You cannot be evicted because of criminal domestic violent acts committed against you by a member of your home or guest of your home if you are the victim.
• A landlord is allowed to legally split the lease and evict the abuser who commits violence against family members while allowing the victims and other household members to remain in public assistance housing.
• Abusers can also have their Section 8 assistance terminated and the victim can continue to receive benefits.
• If a victim must move for safety reasons, the housing authority will allow them to keep their assistance even if their lease not up yet.

The facts listed above pertain to South Carolina state law only.  I cannot speak for other states at the moment.    However, the following links may help:

• If you are in the New York area:  http://www.nyc.gov/html/ocdv/html/services/housing.shtml
• I thought this site had some very useful information:  http://www.aardvarc.org/dv/statistics.shtml
• If you need to plan an escape I recommend The National Domestic Violence Hotline:  http://www.thehotline.org/
• State by State fact sheets can be found here:  http://www.ncadv.org/resources/FactSheets.php  Each state also lists resources to help victims.  Highly recommended if you need help and want to look for help in your area.

Recommended Reading:

• Not To People Like Us
• Women Who Love Too Much
• Daily Meditations For Women Who Love Too Much

~~Namaste~~

Successfully Completed

I have written over 33 entries about this goal.

It was so well worth it. It forced me to recognize all that is good in life. Whenever I was having a bad day, all I had to do was write my daily gratitude list. I am so happy I did this.

Today is Thursday, January 3, 2008 and I am thankful

• that I assumed this exercise and successfully applied it to my life for all of November 2007, and most of December 2007.

• that I rollerskated for 2 hours last night

• that I am not totally dependent on someone else for my livelihood

• that my family is supportive and loving

• that the walls in my living room are a bright and vibrant YELLOW

• that I have this beautiful red sofa in my living room. I love the contrast of the red and yellow

• for all of my blog readers. Go click on an ad link and make me some money. Better yet, click on my paypal donate button. LOL

• for 43Things.com

• for new beginnings and great things in 2008. I am looking forward to a wonderful life in 2008.

Happy New Year 2008 and have a beautiful day.

See more progress on: be thankful

Bored

ready to go home NOW

besides, my psyche is not right today. I need a mental fix. I have the perfect book for that too. AT HOME

Red chair

Tags:phone photos

Art

By Allan on the wall in the dining room. Tags: phone photos

Today is Tuesday, November 6, 2007

and I am thankful for:

• the fact that I stayed home today. Some packages were delivered today and I'm glad I was here to receive them.
• the lil bit of sense God gave me.
• Dr. Phil. I like his show. I watch it on days I'm home.
• truth and lies. I don't know why, but I am. I'm being kind of lazy with my thankfulness exercise today. I need to get more detailed and focused on this task.
• awareness. Today I am painfully aware of the not so good in my life right now. Believe me it's not even that bad. I've been home all day, but I did NOT a lick of house work. My house desperately needs the work today. It's 3:22 and I'd like to get it done before TJ gets home. He'll be here in 30 minutes.
• the fact that I can actually step away from this puter and do some housework.
• the fact that I'm actually getting up to clean right now.

Have a cleanly day. I'm going to go clean house. I am thankful that I have a beautiful house to clean and that my mom taught me how to clean.

New show

I'm watching NUMB3RS 4 the 1st time. I really like it. I got my degree in math, so you know I like it.