On July 29, Women Against Abuse (WAA) held a ribbon cutting to celebrate completion of the $3 million renovation and expansion of Sojourner House, WAA’s transitional house program for survivor’s of domestic violence and their children. Sojourner House provides case management, trauma-informed behavioral health services, life skills development workshops and on-site child care.
Jeannine Lisitski, Executive Director of WAA, described RHLS’s assistance as vital to the effort: “we couldn’t have undertaken such a complex funding structure without a lot of support from RHLS. RHLS has been extremely responsive to our inquiries and requests for help throughout the process. We are so grateful for all of the support from RHLS and for the level of skill and expertise that they have in the area of affordable housing development.”
RHLS’s Work Helps Increase Affordable Housing for Vulnerable Populations
RHLS attorney Laura Schwartz provided technical and legal assistance to Women Against Abuse in connection with the financing for the renovation and expansion. This representation helped to secure stable, affordable housing for a vulnerable population. In addition to assisting nonprofits with developments designed to support vulnerable populations, RHLS is also actively involved in policy efforts designed to make systemic changes that benefit vulnerable populations. Recently, RHLS was active in a successful effort to increase rental protections for victims of domestic violence. Through the efforts of RHLS and our partners, being a victim of domestic violence is no longer considered “good cause” for eviction in a LIHTC project.
Top photo (from left to right): Jeannine Lisitski, Executive Director of Women Against Abuse, Deborah McColloch, Director of OHCD, State Senator LeAnna Washington, and State Senator Vincent Hughes. Right photo: Jeannine Lisitski, ED of Women Against Abuse (Photos courtesy of Laura Schwartz).
- Learn more about RHLS’s legal services for nonprofit organizations
- Learn more about how RHLS is helping to protect victims of domestic violence
- Learn more about Women Against Abuse