Harrisburg – October 19, 2016 – Legislation designed to aid survivors of domestic violence who live in public housing was approved unanimously by the state Senate’s Urban Affairs and Housing Committee today.
The legislation sponsored by state Sen. Art Haywood (D-Philadelphia/Montgomery) allows survivors of domestic violence to move to a new unit.
Haywood issued the following statement following the committee’s approval of Senate Bill 1387:
“The Senate Urban Affairs and Housing Committee unanimously passed my legislation to protect victims of domestic violence in public housing. The legislation gives survivors of domestic violence the right to move to another public housing unit under the control of the housing authority or a housing authority in the same geographic region.
“This update of the law provides life-saving protections for victims of domestic violence who are stuck in violent apartments. This law puts Pennsylvania in line with the protections in the federal Violence Against Women Act. I am very appreciative of the work of the Pennsylvania Coalition Against Rape and thank them for their consultation and input on this legislation.”
Haywood, who serves and member of the committee, said that proof of domestic violence with an affidavit of threatened violence, stalking or eligibility for a protection against abuse order.
The legislation now goes to the full Senate for consideration.
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