The Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) was originally enacted in 1994. It provides protections for survivors of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking who seek to access or maintain federally-assisted housing. The victims of these crimes are often women, but the protections are available equally to all individuals regardless of sex, gender identity, or sexual orientation. VAWA protects victims, their immediate family, and those living in their household, even if they are not related by blood or marriage.

VAWA applies to most government-subsidized or assisted housing, including public housing, Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers, Section 8 project-based housing, Section 2020 housing for the elderly, Section 811 housing for the disabled, Section 236 multifamily rental housing, Section 221(d)(3) Below Market Interest Rate (BMIR), HOME, Housing Opportunities for People with Aids (HOPWA), McKinney-Vento Act programs; Rural Development multifamily housing, and Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) housing. VAWA does not apply to private housing that does not receive federal assistance. However, all Indiana rental properties are subject to state laws governing victims of domestic violence, sex offenses, and stalking. To learn more, visit

Under VAWA, a resident (or an affiliated individual to that resident – which could include a spouse, parent, brother, sister, child, or a person acting as a parent) cannot be denied housing because the applicant is a victim of domestic violence, sexual assault, dating violence, or stalking. Additionally, a resident cannot be evicted or lose their federal rental assistance just because violence has been committed against the resident. Further, acts of violence against a resident are not considered a serious or repeated violation of the resident’s lease, valid cause for eviction, or cause to end the resident’s federal housing assistance.  

If a member of the resident’s household commits violence against them, the property owner may evict the abuser alone while keeping the remainder of the family in the residence. If the abuser was the primary recipient of the housing assistance, the remaining residents have the right to prove their eligibility for housing assistance within a reasonable amount of time. If the household does not qualify for housing assistance, the property owner must give reasonable time to allow the residents to find new housing.

A resident who is a victim under VAWA and also possesses a Section 8 voucher may move and keep their voucher, even if the lease at the prior property has not yet ended. All properties subject to VAWA must adopt emergency transfer plans that allow property owners to transfer residents to other federally assisted housing that is available and safe. A resident is permitted to transfer residences if they ask their property owner and reasonably believe that: (1) they are in imminent danger, or (2) were sexually assaulted on the property up to 90 days before the request.

To prove that a resident is eligible for VAWA’s protections, a property owner may ask for documentation showing that a resident is a victim of domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking. The property owner must make this request in writing and cannot demand what type of evidence the resident must provide.

Proof of qualifying for VAWA is satisfied in three ways: (1) completing a self-certification form (including name, name of the abuser (if known or safe to provide), the abuser’s relationship to you, date, time and place of the violence, and description of the violence); (2) providing a letter signed by a victim service provider, lawyer, or a health professional, or; (3) providing a police report, court record (including a restraining order), or administrative record. The property owner must allow at least 14 business days, excluding weekends and holidays, for the resident to provide proof of eligibility.

VAWA does not protect residents if the criminal incident for which they are being evicted or denied housing is unrelated to domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking. However, state laws may apply and should be referenced.

Property owners under the jurisdiction of VAWA must provide written notice of residents’ VAWA rights. Under the Trump Administration HUD has removed their sample forms to review. As of 3/4/2026 there has been no update at this time.

Finally, property owners must keep confidential any information a resident provides under VAWA, including that the resident is exercising their rights under VAWA. This confidentiality extends to employees, contractors, or other third parties, unless specifically necessary under federal, state, or local law.