Commissioners hear proposal for using short-term rentals to benefit domestic violence victims

Did you see the latest article in The Pagosa Sun? Rise Above Violence Housing Advocate Kristen Bair spoke with the BoCC about using short-term rentals as emergency housing for those experiencing violence. See below for the article.

Josh Pike, Staff Writer [email protected]

​At its June 18 work session, the Archuleta County Board of County Commissioners (BoCC) heard a proposal from Rise Above Violence Housing Advocate Kristen Bair about using short-term rentals (STRs) as emergency housing for those experiencing domestic violence and sexual assault.

Bair explained that Rise was founded in 1996 and provides support for domestic violence and sexual assault survivors through advocacy, a 24-hour emergency hotline, court accompaniment, and youth advocacy to prevent domestic violence and sexual assault.

She stated that Rise has three types of housing programs:

• An emergency housing program, which provides one to three nights of housing for victims and is “designated for extreme times of safety and need.” 
• A transitional housing program, which utilizes community partnerships to offer rental housing for a short period while a victim secures permanent housing.
• A long-term housing program, which provides rental support for victims for up to six months while they work to become financially independent.

She added that Rise also partners with local real estate agents and the Archuleta County Housing Authority to help secure permanent housing for clients.

Bair explained that, in rural communities like Pagosa Springs, one in three people are impacted by domestic violence and that the housing market is particularly difficult due to the lack of affordable housing and the pattern that victims often lack resources, have poor credit or no credit, and have no job history “due to economic coercion.”

She pointed out that many clients potentially have to choose between being abused or being homeless and that 80 percent of Rise clients have children.
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Bair stated that transitional housing assists clients in beginning their recovery and provides an opportunity for them to work on finding long-term housing.

For the rest of the article click here: Commissioners hear proposal for using short-term rentals to benefit domestic violence victims - The Pagosa Springs Sun (pagosasun.com)