usc 34 § 12493
Department of Housing and Urban Development Gender-based Violence Prevention Office and Violence Against Women Act Director (CRIME CONTROL AND LAW ENFORCEMENT (34 U.S.C.))
Operative Text
The Secretary of Housing and Urban Development shall establish a Gender-based Violence Prevention Office with a Violence Against Women Act Director (in this section referred to as the “Director”). The Director shall, among other duties— support implementation of this subpart; coordinate with Federal agencies on legislation, implementation, and other issues affecting the housing provisions under this part, as well as other issues related to advancing housing protections for victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking; coordinate with State and local governments and agencies, including State housing finance agencies, regarding advancing housing protections and access to housing for victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking; ensure that technical assistance and support are provided to each appropriate agency and housing providers regarding implementation of this part, as well as other issues related to advancing housing protections for victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking, including compliance with this part; implement internal systems to track, monitor, and address compliance failures; and address the housing needs and barriers faced by victims of sexual assault, as well as sexual coercion and sexual harassment by a public housing agency or owner or manager of housing assisted under a covered housing program. There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section such sums as may be necessary for fiscal years 2023 through 2027.
Under 34 U.S.C. § 12493, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development is required to establish a Gender-based Violence Prevention Office led by a Violence Against Women Act Director. This office is charged with coordinating across federal, state, and local levels to strengthen housing protections for survivors of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking. The Director is also responsible for providing technical assistance to housing providers, tracking compliance failures, and specifically addressing housing barriers faced by survivors of sexual assault and those who have experienced sexual coercion or harassment by housing officials or managers.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Housing providers covered under VAWA's covered housing programs should be aware that 34 U.S.C. § 12493 establishes a federal office with an explicit mandate to monitor compliance and provide technical assistance related to VAWA housing protections. Compliant operators generally familiarize themselves with guidance and resources issued by HUD's Gender-based Violence Prevention Office, since that office is tasked with supporting implementation across all covered housing programs. Because the Director is charged with tracking and addressing compliance failures, housing providers can expect ongoing federal oversight of how VAWA protections are applied in their properties.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Under 34 U.S.C. § 12493, survivors of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking have a dedicated federal office — HUD's Gender-based Violence Prevention Office — working to advance their housing protections and address barriers to housing access. If a tenant believes a housing provider has failed to comply with VAWA's housing provisions, the existence of this office means there is a federal body responsible for monitoring such compliance and coordinating with state and local agencies. Tenants may explore options such as contacting HUD directly, reaching out to a local tenant-rights organization, or consulting with a legal aid provider familiar with VAWA housing protections.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated September 13, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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