In a bold move to directly confront the persistent scourge of gender-based violence in housing, Mayor Brandon Johnson stepped forward to announce the launch of the Short-term Assistance for Emergency (SAFE) Transfer Pilot Program, according to the Office of the Mayor. Packing a promise to provide survivors with the support they need, the program aims to efficiently connect them with safer housing options.
Highlighting the urgency of the initiative, Mayor Johnson remarked, "Everyone deserves to feel safe in their home, and no one should be trapped in a dangerous situation because of their zip code or income." He continues to assert the city's dedication to not just to talk about justice and equity but to manifestly work as well to build systems that reflect those values. In the past year alone, with 14,823 calls made to the Domestic Violence Hotline from Chicagoans, the need for such a program has never been more apparent. This new pilot seeks to quickly and compassionately offer emergency temporary housing and safer permanent options for survivors, guaranteed under the recently reauthorized Violence Against Women Act (VAWA), as reported by the Office of the Mayor.
Adding her support to this initiative, the Department of Housing Commissioner Lissette Castañeda stated, "Housing is more than a roof over someone's head—it's the foundation of stability and security." The SAFE Transfer Pilot imbues a sense of responsibility within the city's framework, aiming to maintain the dignity and agency of the survivors by affording them both physical and emotional sanctuary. As 11th Ward Alderwoman Nicole Lee put it, "Ensuring victims are securely housed is a crucial step to breaking the cycle of violence, and helping victims rebuild their lives with dignity," the Office of the Mayor noted.
The Network, funded through philanthropy, is managing the SAFE Transfer Pilot hotline, plus the education of property managers on VAWA compliance. Joyce M. Coffee, M.A., ICDVP, CEO/Executive Director of Family Rescue, underscored the importance of the program, saying "The SAFE Pilot Program will help ensure that survivors in DOH housing are no longer forced to choose between their housing and their safety," per the Office of the Mayor.
