Domestic Violence Housing First Initiative

Journey Center’s Domestic Violence Housing First Initiative (DVHFI) provides short-term emergency housing assistance for individuals or families fleeing domestic violence. Journey’s Domestic Violence Housing First Initiative will quickly connect domestic violence victims to stable housing, regardless of whether or not they come into Shelter.

Gaining self-sufficiency away from an abuser has tremendous ripple effects throughout the survivor’s family and community.

• Children are no longer exposed to abuse

• Survivors are less likely to lose their job

• The health, homeless, and child welfare systems may be used less

• The generational cycle of violence and poverty is more likely to end

For more information about our DVHFI program watch our DVHFI program service video. Or, click here to watch our 2024 Lunch & Learn.

Information for Property Owners and Managers

Journey Center clients comply with program requirement of case management services in order to continue to receive the rental assistance. Journey Center’s partnership with EDEN, Inc. finances of the Rapid Re-housing Program are operated by Journey Center / EDEN, Inc.
EDEN, Inc. provides Direct Deposit and Check by  mail or rent payments will be posted to your bank account on the first banking day of the month or mailed on the first day of the month. 

List Your Property

List your property with Journey Center and receive incentives, possibly increase your income and decrease your property vacancy rates. Journey Center staff will provide program details, list your available units, and answer any questions you may have.

How DVFHI Works

• Step 1: Fill out the form above.

• Step 2: DVFHI will list your property for referrals.

• Step 3: REQUEST FOR LEASE APPROVAL PROCESS (RFLA).
  DVHFI clients will view the property and provide property owner an RFLA. Request for Lease Approval document, must be completed by the property manager with the prospective tenant and submitted to Journey Center’s Domestic Violence Housing First Initiative Office/EDEN. The property owner/manager will complete the housing provider section, sign, date, initial where appropriate and submit with all requested documentation.
  Click here to download the RFLA Form.

• Step 4: RENT DETERMINATION.
  EDEN, Inc. will contact the landlord to determine Fair Market Value. The Property Manager has the right to accept or deny the offer. Rent Determination within 3 business days of receipt of RFLA. 
  Please note: Property Owner will not be contacted if EDEN, Inc. can approve asking rent.

• Step 5: INSPECTION BY EDEN, INC.
  Unit is assigned to an inspector within one business day of rent approval (or negotiation, if needed).
  Please note: If a client moves into unit prior to it passing inspection, the client will be solely responsible for any payment due to the owner. Upon passed inspection, client can move in.

• Step 6: Rent and security deposit (if applicable) will be mailed to the owner within 6-8 business days after rent and move-in date is confirmed. Subsequent payments will be mailed by the 1st of the month if EDEN, Inc. has received a copy of the lease and Case Management notes, as expected. 

Processing Time: Is based upon all documentation being submitted and no repairs required on the unit. If there are missing documents, fields not filled out, or the unit is not ready, the processing time could be significantly delayed.

Property Inspection Requirements:

• Unit must be vacant and in move-in condition with all utilities on at the time of inspection.

• All utilities: electric, gas and water must be on and operating.

• All ceilings, walls and floors must be sturdy and without holes.

• All floors must be free of tripping hazards and transition strips must be present between floor types.

• A least one operating smoke detector must be installed on every level of the unit. The entire unit, both inside and outside, including window frames, must be free of cracking, scaling, peeling, chipping and loose paint.

• Where there are three or more consecutive steps and a landing, handrails must be securely attached.

• The unit must be free of roaches, rodents, or any other infestations.

• The entire unit, interior and exterior, including garages, must be free from electrical hazards.

• GFIs must be installed in existing outlets, inside and outside, including garages and exterior outlets, all within five feet of water sources.

• Every room used for living must have either three working outlets, or two working outlets and a permanently installed light fixture. At a minimum, each bathroom must have a permanently installed light fixture. All light switches and outlets must have undamaged and secured covers installed.

• All windows and doors must be secure when closed and must be weather tight.

• No broken or cracked windows allowed. All windows and doors that are accessible from the outside must have working, sturdy locks and be weather tight.

Click here for complete list of requirements.

Documentation required during the process:

• Disclosure forms provided.

• Completed direct deposit form (if not already on file at EDEN, Inc.).

• Individual Completed W-9 form (if not already on file at EDEN, Inc.) or Business W-9 Form.

• Request for Lease Approval Process (RFLA).

Frequently asked Questions

Housing Resources

• Change of Ownership / Management Form  

• Cleveland Mediation 

• EDEN, Inc

• Lead Safe Priorities in Cleveland

• Ohio Landlord-Tenant Law: The Basics by the Legal Aid Society