Meet Ms. Jeannie, a survivor of domestic violence and Emergency Housing Voucher recipient, and Kimberly Martinez, her New Destiny Housing Navigator. Together they underscore the importance of both dedicated housing resources for survivors and housing search assistance services.

Watch this video to hear her story:

In 2021 the Biden administration created the Emergency Housing Voucher (EHV) program, issuing 70,000 Section 8 vouchers to localities across the country to help with the economic fallout from the pandemic. New York City received 7,788 vouchers.

Thanks to leadership at City Hall and the Continuum of Care, plus the advocacy efforts of New Destiny and others, 1,168 of these EHVs were allocated to domestic violence survivors fleeing abuse. This marked the first time survivors had access to Section 8 vouchers without having to enter shelter or be referred by the criminal justice system. Receiving public and private funding, New Destiny has been able to provide housing search assistance and aftercare support to any of the 1,168 survivors who need it. This is the story of one woman’s journey receiving this voucher and assistance.

New Destiny thanks ENDGBV, HPD, NYCHA, HRA, the CoC, Helmsley Charitable Trust and Enterprise Community Partners/Robin Hood Foundation for their partnership in changing thousands of lives with this program.