Unveiling the Silent Housing Crisis Fueled by Domestic Violence

By: Debby Rowlands

Homes should be sanctuaries, but too many people are facing danger every day as they live with the hidden crisis of domestic violence. Behind closed doors, lives are shattered by violence and abuse, and the repercussions extend far beyond the immediate scars. Domestic violence infiltrates the very foundation of a person’s security, their home. It turns a sanctuary into a war zone that leaves survivors feeling trapped and alone. And whether they choose to flee or manage to evict their abuser from the home, they often face a housing crisis, even homelessness.

Many who have experienced domestic violence are left with the financial burden of paying the monthly housing and living costs that were once shared. These expenses are often beyond what the survivor can afford on their salary alone, especially if there are children involved. The process of separating from an abusive partner and starting life over can be both physically and mentally draining, and survivors may feel overwhelmed during this major transition. This can leave survivors and their families struggling to manage a very tight budget and on the verge of losing their housing.

Survivors who flee are often faced with homelessness when they are unable to find anywhere to go. Abusers typically isolate domestic violence survivors, leaving them with little to no support system. Domestic violence has been the leading cause of homelessness in Sussex County for the last four years, per the Point in Time (PIT) Count, and, in 2024, was the second most cited cause of homelessness in nearby Warren and Morris counties.

There are not enough shelters to help domestic violence survivors with housing and stability needs. Per the National Network to End Domestic Violence’s 18th Annual Domestic Violence Counts Report, 95% of the requests for services that were unmet due to lack of resources were for housing services. The report further stated that nationwide, hundreds of programs reported reducing or eliminating housing services in the past year due to staffing or funding shortages.

But there is hope for survivors of domestic violence. Family Promise runs a joint transitional housing-rapid rehousing program that provides support for domestic violence survivors as they work toward housing stability and offers a variety of other housing services. DASI (Domestic Abuse & Sexual Assault Intervention Services) provides a wide range of support, including housing advocacy, and runs Project Safe & Strong with Project Self-Sufficiency. Survivors in Warren County can contact DASACC (Domestic Abuse & Sexual Assault Crisis Center) for assistance, and those in Morris County can find help with JBWS.

No one should have to choose between living with their abuser and living on the street.

DASI

• https://dasi.org/index.php
• 24 Hour Helpline: 973-875-1211

Project Safe & Strong

• https://www.projectselfsufficiency.org/domestic-violence-help-nj
• 973-940-3500

DASACC

• https://www.dasacc.org/
• 24 Hour Helpline: 908.453.4181

JBWS

• https://jbws.org/
• 24 Hour Helpline: 877-782-2873

Safe in Hunterdon

• https://safeinhunterdon.org/
• 24 Hour Helpline: 908-788-4044

If you are in immediate danger, please call 911.

About Family Promise of Sussex County

The agency’s mission is to secure housing stability and sustainability for those in crisis…because everyone deserves a home, and our vision that every individual and family shall have a home, a livelihood, and the chance to build a better future. We offer many services and a dedicated team of individuals that are available to assist our clients in attaining these goals. To learn more visit us at https://familypromisesussex.org or our offices in Newton, Sparta and Sussex or contact us at 973-579-1180 or fpsc@familypromisesussex.org.