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 about
exceptions 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.