Illinois: Victims of Crime Act Transitional Housing Program

The Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority is requesting proposals for grants under the Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) Transitional Housing Program.

Donor Name: Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority

State: Illinois

County: All Counties

Type of Grant: Grant

Deadline: 10/31/2025

Size of the Grant: Not Available

Grant Duration: 1 Year

Details:

ICJIA works to identify statewide needs through research, examination of state data sources, and collection of feedback from experts in the field. The purpose of this funding opportunity is to address a significant service gap in Illinois: transitional housing services for victims of violent crime, including intimate partner and other forms of domestic violence, sexual violence, human trafficking, and community violence.

This funding opportunity will support transitional housing services for persons whose housing needs arise from or are a cause of their victimization. Eligible clients include adults (and, when appropriate, their dependent children) and victims of crimes, including, but not limited to, domestic violence (including intimate partner violence), human trafficking, anti-LGBTQ+ violence, and forced labor.

The program narrative must thoroughly explain housing models and rent structures. Applicants are responsible for including personnel costs in their budget and budget narrative needed to accomplish program requirements. Funding for this program is limited to salary and benefits for personnel providing direct services and direct supervision of victim service providers. If the chosen housing model involves the agency serving as landlord, landlord and service provision roles must be listed as separate staff. Applicants must explain how these roles will be clearly distinct. A case manager position is mandatory for each program.

The goals of the Victims of Crime Act Transitional Housing Program to provide victims of crime and their children with pathways to safe, permanent housing, respond to their emotional and physical needs, and to increase self-sufficiency through individualized trauma-informed services without cost.

Funding Information

A minimum of $2,830,905 dollars will be made available through this funding opportunity.
ICJIA has made available about $2,830,905 in VOCA grant funding for the development or expansion of transitional housing and related support costs for victims of crime. A minimum of $100,000 and a maximum of $400,000 will be awarded to successful applicants.

Project Period

Funding is available for the period of March 1, 2026, through February 29, 2027.

Program Activities

Completed applications should be reflective of the following program activities:

Staffing to support all clients. Every client must be assigned to a case manager who coordinates assessments and services.
Housing units and services offered for a minimum of 24 months. Exceptions may be made when non-VOCA funding sources conflict with this requirement.
Letters of commitment from every collaborative partner organization that will provide services to meet your transitional housing client’s needs as described in the Program Narrative.
Attendance at ICJIA-coordinated annual meetings.
Compliance with all prescribed assessment tools and reporting requirements.
These services may be offered by your program or a collaborating partner organization.
- Employment assistance: Helping a client implement an employment plan. This may include linking client to a job training program, helping client complete a job application or resume, or completing an employment action plan that supports the client’s goals.
- Education assistance: Helping a client implement education plans. This may include helping a client complete a GED application, helping enroll a client or his/her child(ren) into school, linking to local community college’s childcare program so parent can attend classes, or developing an education plan that supports the client’s goals.
- Housing advocacy: Helping a client implement a plan for obtaining housing. This may include accompanying a client to the housing authority office to apply for Section 8 housing or helping a client identify available rental units, complete a tenant application, or develop a housing plan that supports the client’s goals.
- Life skills: Teaching client’s fundamental skills to improve daily living or enhance independence.
- Economic assistance: Helping a client implement plans to improve financial status. This may include helping a client create a budget or learn how to repair credit, advocating to receive public benefits, linking to a tax assistance center, or helping to develop an economic action plan that supports the client’s goals.
- In-person counseling: Providing in-person, client-centered counseling that addresses the violence and related issues in client’s life and fosters self-determination
- Children’s services: Providing services to clients’ child(ren) that address violence and related issues and foster healthy growth and development. Such services may include individual, group, or family counseling, education assistance, or therapeutic activities, such as art therapy.
- Childcare: Providing onsite or offsite childcare services. Offsite childcare services must be provided by day care centers licensed through the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services