Economic Justice and Transitional Housing Program

The Economic Justice Program (EJP) provides information, referrals and advocacy to survivors of domestic violence primarily in the community and those residing in our transitional housing program. Within the context of domestic violence, the concept of “economic justice” includes the idea that survivors should not have to fear that the decisions they make about their intimate relationships will negatively impact their financial stability or cause them to risk homelessness and poverty. EJP advocates for systemic changes in the response to survivors’ needs, working on the goal that all survivors may not only meet their basic economic needs, but also may control their own economic circumstances.

EJP includes WHBW’s transitional housing project, Sophie’s Place (SP). SP is a collaborative project between the Burlington Housing Authority and WHBW, providing 11 units of transitional housing dedicated to individuals or families who have experienced homelessness due to domestic violence. Residents of SP will receive support and advocacy from WHBW, as well as other community partners, as they work toward meeting their goals of safety and self-sufficiency free from abuse.

EJP staff work together with survivors in the following ways:

• Offer support and options counseling to survivors as they create individual safety plans that include means to address basic economic needs (such as housing, income through benefits or employment, childcare, health care, transportation, etc),
• Offer information on and referrals to community agencies critical in meeting economic needs,
• Advocate with and on behalf of survivors who are navigating complex systems, such as those for housing and public benefits, and inform aboutexceptions and protections for survivors of domestic violence that exist w/in these systems,
• Advocate for systemic changes in the response to survivors as they seek out critical economic resources and attempt to overcome barriers often caused by economic abuse,
• Provide education and awareness in the community on the effects of economic abuse within the context of intimate partner violence, and the barriers it creates to accessing services,
• Serve survivors residing in our transitional housing at Sophie’s Place.

View our other programs:

Legal Program | Support Groups | Education and Outreach | Shelter and Housing Services | 24 Hour Hotline

Children’s Services | Economic Justice and Transitional Housing Program