Category 4- Fleeing Domestic Violence- Documentation
Documenting homeless for those who meet Category 4 varies depending on whether the household is receiving services or shelter from a victim service provider
For victim service providers
- An oral statement by the individual or head of household seeking assistance which states: they are fleeing, they have no subsequent residence, and, they lack resources to obtain housing.
- The oral statement must be documented by either a self-certification or a certification by the intake worker.
- The certification by the applicant or intake worker should specifically state that the applicant is fleeing DV, that they have no subsequent residence identified and that they lack the resources to obtain housing.
For non-victim service providers
- A self-certification from the individual or head of household seeking assistance that they are fleeing, that they have no subsequent residence and they lack resources to obtain housing;
AND
- Where the safety of the individual or family is not jeopardized, the self-certification must be verified by a written observation by the intake worker or a written referral by third party.
- The third party can be a housing or service provider, social worker, health-care provider, law enforcement agency, legal assistance provider, pastoral counselor, or any other organization from whom the individual or head of household has sought assistance for domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking.
- The written referral or observation need only include the minimum amount of information necessary to document that the individual or family is fleeing, or attempting to flee domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking.
- If it would jeopardize the applicant’s safety to obtain a written observation or referral, this should be documented in the client’s file.
- The third party can be a housing or service provider, social worker, health-care provider, law enforcement agency, legal assistance provider, pastoral counselor, or any other organization from whom the individual or head of household has sought assistance for domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking.