In June, NYSCADV’s Economic Justice Project Manager, Esmeralda Peña, had the opportunity to present at the Pennsylvania Coalition Against Domestic Violence’s (PCADV) Third Annual Housing and Economic Justice Summit in State College, Pennsylvania.
The summit brought together domestic violence advocates, housing professionals, service providers, and other partners committed to strengthening housing access and economic stability for survivors. This year’s theme, “Growing, Glowing, and Keep Going in 2026,” created space for participants to share promising practices, deepen partnerships, and explore strategies to address the interconnected housing and economic barriers that survivors face.
Esmeralda presented Housing as a Pathway to Safety and Economic Independence, a workshop examining the critical role that safe, stable housing plays in survivor safety, healing, and long-term financial well-being.
Survivors of domestic violence may experience housing instability for many reasons, including economic abuse, damaged credit, employment disruption, discrimination, limited access to affordable housing, and systems that are difficult to navigate. These barriers can make it harder for survivors to leave an abusive relationship, maintain safety after leaving, or establish lasting financial independence.
Through facilitated discussion, real-world examples, and interactive case scenarios, workshop participants examined how housing instability, economic abuse, and systemic barriers can shape a survivor’s options. Participants were also invited to consider how advocates and community partners can apply survivor-centered and trauma-informed approaches when helping survivors navigate housing systems.
A central message of the session was that housing is more than shelter. Safe and stable housing can provide the foundation survivors need to heal, maintain employment, care for their families, rebuild financially, and move toward long-term independence.
Effective housing advocacy requires more than helping someone locate an available unit. It requires listening to each survivor’s priorities, recognizing the impact of trauma and economic abuse, identifying barriers without blaming the survivor, and working collaboratively across housing, legal, financial, and community-based systems.
The workshop also emphasized that survivor-centered housing advocacy must preserve choice and autonomy. There is no single housing pathway that will meet every survivor’s needs. Advocates can support survivors by offering clear information, exploring a range of options, and helping address barriers while respecting each survivor’s expertise in their own life and safety.
“Presenting at PCADV’s Housing and Economic Justice Summit was an exciting and meaningful opportunity to share NYSCADV’s work with advocates from across Pennsylvania, I was grateful for the opportunity to discuss the connections among housing, safety, and economic independence, while also learning from the experiences and perspectives participants brought to the conversation.”
NYSCADV appreciates PCADV for creating an opportunity for advocates and partners to exchange ideas, strengthen relationships, and deepen the collective work of advancing housing and economic justice for survivors.
Cross-state learning opportunities like this summit remind us that communities may face different local conditions, but many of the barriers affecting survivors cross geographic boundaries. By sharing strategies and learning from one another, coalitions and advocates can continue building more accessible, responsive, and survivor-centered pathways to safety and stability.
Put Learning into Practice
Interested in learning more about NYSCADV’s Economic Justice Project? Explore our work to strengthen economic security, housing stability, and long-term independence for survivors across New York State.
Advocates can also access housing and economic justice tools, training recordings, guides, and other resources through Coalition Manager. These materials are designed to support survivor-centered advocacy and help programs navigate the complex housing and financial barriers survivors may encounter.
Learn more about the Economic Justice Project.
Access housing and economic justice resources in Coalition Manager
Coalition Manager resources are available to individuals with an active account. Advocates affiliated with a New York State domestic violence program who need access can contact their organization or program leadership.
