NORWAY – A meeting of the Oxford County Domestic Violence Task Force on Tuesday focused on issues related to housing for displaced people.

The group discussed housing options for people who leave abusive relationships and for people displaced by other means.

According to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, victims of domestic abuse may be reluctant to leave a household due to difficulty finding an alternative residence or a poor record of employment or credit. The coalition also states that landlords may turn away people with protection from abuse orders or evict abused tenants due to “zero tolerance of crime” policies.

Group homes

Amy Merrill of Rumford Group Homes Inc. said the organization provides areas for displaced people to live as well as an emergency winter response that puts people up in motels. Merrill said people usually live in the facilities for at least four weeks while applying for Section Eight housing assistance.

However, Merrill said that domestic violence victims are typically referred to the Abused Women’s Advocacy Project, since the locations of Rumford Group Homes’ houses are known.

“If there’s active domestic violence, we’re not a safe house,” she said.

Sarah Arsenault of Avesta Housing said that organization needs to confirm that a person is homeless and do background checks to see if a person has a criminal history of drugs or violence, is a registered sex offender, or owes money to other housing authorities.

Arsenault said the organization must also verify the person’s income and assets before giving them a housing voucher. Arsenault said sex offenders or people convicted or violent or drug offenses are initially denied, but may appeal at a hearing.

Arsenault also said a domestic violence victim and abuser cannot reside in the same home without permission from the Maine State Housing Authority.

Betty McLaughlin, who heads the general assistance program in Norway, said that agency usually puts people up in a boarding house or efficiency apartment. She said vouchers are also available for food and personal items, and able people are asked to do volunteer work to repay some of the services.

Cathy Battle, a victim advocate with the Oxford County District Attorney’s Office, said a domestic violence victim is typically not liable for damage caused to property in a domestic incident. However, she said some people do not leave an abusive household because they do not wish to terminate their lease.

Security deposits, poor rental references, lack of affordable housing, and landlords who won’t accept Section Eight vouchers are some housing issues facing domestic violence victims.

The task force also identified the Rural Community Action Ministry, Community Concepts, Community of the Resurrection, the Department of Heath and Human Services, and local churches as organizations that can help displaced people.