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Administrative Plan 7/1/2025 Page 16-56
<br />EXHIBIT 16-1: SAMPLE NOTICE OF OCCUPANCY RIGHTS UNDER THE
<br />VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN ACT, FORM HUD-5380
<br />[Insert Name of Housing Provider]
<br />Notice of Occupancy Rights under the Violence Against Women Act1
<br />To all Tenants and Applicants
<br />The Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) provides protections for victims of domestic
<br />violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking. VAWA protections are not only available
<br />to women, but are available equally to all individuals regardless of sex, gender identity, or sexual
<br />orientation.2 The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) is the federal
<br />agency that oversees that the housing choice voucher program is in compliance with VAWA.
<br />This notice explains your rights under VAWA. A HUD-approved certification form is attached
<br />to this notice. You can fill out this form to show that you are or have been a victim of domestic
<br />violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking, and that you wish to use your rights under
<br />VAWA.”
<br />Protections for Applicants
<br />If you otherwise qualify for assistance under the housing choice voucher program, you cannot be
<br />denied admission or denied assistance because you are or have been a victim of domestic
<br />violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking.
<br />Protections for Tenants
<br />If you are receiving assistance under the housing choice voucher program, you may not be
<br />denied assistance, terminated from participation, or be evicted from your rental housing because
<br />you are or have been a victim of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking.
<br />Also, if you or an affiliated individual of yours is or has been the victim of domestic violence,
<br />dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking by a member of your household or any guest, you
<br />may not be denied rental assistance or occupancy rights under the housing choice voucher
<br />program solely on the basis of criminal activity directly relating to that domestic violence, dating
<br />violence, sexual assault, or stalking.
<br />Affiliated individual means your spouse, parent, brother, sister, or child, or a person to whom
<br />you stand in the place of a parent or guardian (for example, the affiliated individual is in your
<br />care, custody, or control); or any individual, tenant, or lawful occupant living in your household.
<br />
<br />1 Despite the name of this law, VAWA protection is available regardless of sex, gender identity, or sexual
<br />orientation.
<br />2 Housing providers cannot discriminate on the basis of any protected characteristic, including race, color, national
<br />origin, religion, sex, familial status, disability, or age. HUD -assisted and HUD-insured housing must be made
<br />available to all otherwise eligible individuals regardless of actual or perceived sexual orientation, gender identity, or
<br />marital status.
<br />EXHIBIT 1
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