This paper explains how victim service agencies can collaborate with homeless shelters to provide emergency housing for victims of human trafficking transitioning from a victimizing condition to a safe and law-abiding lifestyle.
Homeless shelters are designed to provide emergency housing to individuals and families experiencing homelessness. This may be a good option for trafficking survivors who are in urgent need of shelter; however, a homeless shelter may not be the right fit for every survivor. Determining whether a homeless shelter is appropriate in a case is the choice of the survivor. Although some homeless shelters are “overnight shelters,” requiring the individual to check-in each night and leave in the morning, many are not. Shelters may vary in the services they provide, the duration of those services, and the features of resources that are available through case management. Victim service providers should contact their local shelters to become informed about their policies and resources. Anti-trafficking service providers should involve the survivor in the final housing decision based on pertinent, accurate information about the housing and resources provided. Some issues that are relevant to the decision to use a homeless shelter are outlined.