Safe Stays Emergency Housing Program Proposal

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Executive Summary 

Our organization is committed to providing immediate, flexible, and trauma-informed emergency housing for survivors of domestic violence across our state. We are seeking funding to support the Safe Stays Program, an innovative hotel-based emergency housing initiative in partnership with ReloShare. This program enables survivors to access anonymous, secure hotel accommodations when traditional shelter options are unavailable or unsuitable due to capacity, family composition, or other barriers. Through Safe Stays, we aim to serve 2,500 survivor households annually, providing safe, accessible housing along with mobile advocacy and essential support services. This initiative aligns with your priorities of ensuring survivor safety, promoting autonomy, and delivering trauma-informed, community-based solutions. 

Statement of Need 

Domestic violence remains a leading cause of homelessness and housing instability across our state. Each year, approximately 2,500 households urgently seek emergency shelter due to domestic violence. However, due to limited shelter capacity, nearly 40% of these households are routinely denied immediate access. Traditional shelters often cannot accommodate survivors with pets, multigenerational families, or those needing to stay near employment, schools, or critical services. 

For instance, a recent survivor who fled violence with her elderly mother and two young children was turned away because no shelter could accommodate multigenerational families. Another survivor remained in an abusive home out of fear of being separated from her pet, her primary source of emotional support. These cases illustrate the need for flexible, survivor-centered emergency housing solutions that remove unnecessary barriers to safety. 

Project Description 

The Safe Stays Program leverages ReloShare's secure hotel booking platform to provide survivors with immediate access to hotel accommodations, ensuring their safety and autonomy. The program will offer up to 30 days of hotel stays per household at an average cost of $140 per night. 

Program Components: 

• Secure Hotel Placements: Advocates will use Safe Stays to book alias hotel stays when shelter space is
• unavailable or inappropriate. 
• Trauma-Informed Mobile Advocacy: A trained mobile advocacy team will provide direct, ongoing case management and support services to survivors during their hotel stays. 
• Supportive Resources: The program will offer transportation assistance (rideshare credits), food gift cards, and pet-friendly accommodations to eliminate common barriers to accessing emergency housing. 

This program will provide flexible, trauma-informed housing to an estimated 2,500 survivor households per year. 

Goals & Objectives 

Goal 1: Increase immediate safety and stability for domestic violence survivors. 

• Objective 1: Provide Safe Stays hotel placements to 2,500 survivor households annually.
• Objective 2: Offer hotel stays of up to 30 days per household when shelter is unavailable or unsuitable.
• Objective 3: Ensure hotel accommodations can support pets and multigenerational families. 

Goal 2: Deliver holistic, trauma-informed support services alongside emergency housing.

• Objective 1: Provide mobile advocacy and case management services to all survivor households utilizing Safe Stays.
• Objective 2: Supply transportation and food resources to reduce barriers to safe housing. 

Implementation Plan 

The Safe Stays Program will be led by an experienced Program Coordinator responsible for overseeing daily operations, managing the Safe Stays partnership, and coordinating staff and services. The program team will include trauma-informed advocates trained in mobile advocacy to support survivors throughout their hotel stays. 

We will maintain partnerships with law enforcement, social service agencies, and community-based organizations to facilitate streamlined referrals. Our comprehensive referral network ensures that survivors in crisis can quickly and safely access hotel accommodations. 

Budget Overview: 

• Hotel Stays: $140 per night, up to 30 days per household
• Mobile Advocacy Staffing & Case Management 
• Transportation Assistance: Rideshare credits 
• Food Support: Grocery and restaurant gift cards 

Evaluation Plan 

The Safe Stays Program's success will be evaluated using the following key metrics:

• Number of survivor households served annually (target: 2,500 households) 
• Percentage of survivors who transition from hotel stays to longer-term stable housing
• Survivor feedback collected through anonymous satisfaction surveys assessing safety, program quality, and overall experience 

Quarterly program reviews will assess progress, address barriers, and inform continuous program improvement to ensure effective, responsive, and survivor-centered service delivery.

Safe Stays Emergency Housing Program Budget Narrative 

The following budget narrative outlines the costs associated with the implementation and operation of the Safe Stays Emergency Housing Program, which will provide immediate, trauma-informed hotel-based emergency housing and supportive services for 2,500 domestic violence survivor households annually. 

Summary Budget Table 

Budget Justification 

The requested funding will allow our organization to meet the urgent need for flexible, trauma-informed emergency housing for domestic violence survivors who are unable to access traditional shelter services. The majority of program funds will be allocated directly to survivor hotel stays, ensuring immediate safety and stability. Mobile advocacy staff costs are essential to providing ongoing, personalized support to survivors throughout their hotel placements. Supplemental funds for transportation, food, and administrative expenses will ensure that survivors' basic needs are met while they work towards long-term housing solutions. The program's budget reflects a commitment to delivering survivor-centered, accessible, and responsive services.