Protecting and Rehabilitating Sexually Exploited Women and Girls Through Long-Term Safe Homes

The Protecting and Rehabilitating Sexually Exploited Women and Girls Through Long-Term Safe Homes grant is offered by the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Health within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, specifically administered by the Office on Women’s Health. This federal funding opportunity is designed to address significant national gaps in long-term, trauma-informed residential care for women and girls who are victims of sexual exploitation, trafficking, and abuse. The program aligns with broader federal priorities to improve health outcomes, reduce violence, and support recovery and self-sufficiency among vulnerable populations. The primary purpose of this grant is to expand and strengthen residential safe home programs that provide extended housing and comprehensive therapeutic services. Unlike short-term shelters, funded programs must deliver long-term residential care lasting months or years, coupled with multidisciplinary services addressing physical health, mental health, emotional well-being, education, and social reintegration. The initiative emphasizes the importance of structured, trauma-informed environments that promote healing and prevent re-victimization. Funding supports both the operation of existing programs and the expansion of residential capacity. Allowable uses include staffing, training, licensing, compliance, and supportive services, but exclude construction and pre-award costs. Programs must demonstrate strong partnerships with healthcare providers, behavioral health services, law enforcement, and community organizations to ensure comprehensive care. There is no cost-sharing or matching requirement, lowering barriers to entry for eligible applicants. Eligible applicants include a wide range of public and private entities across the United States and its territories, including state and local governments, nonprofit organizations, tribal entities, educational institutions, and for-profit organizations. Applicants must demonstrate the ability to operate or expand residential programs with adequate staffing, including licensed counselors, and maintain appropriate staff-to-resident ratios. Programs must also ensure age-appropriate housing arrangements and robust protections for minors. Applications must be submitted electronically through Grants.gov and include standard federal forms such as the SF-424 and SF-424A, along with a project narrative, appendices, and a detailed budget justification. The project narrative is limited to 25 pages and must outline organizational capacity, program design, partnerships, outcomes, and sustainability plans. Applications are evaluated based on criteria including need, program quality, organizational experience, partnerships, and sustainability. The application deadline for this funding opportunity is July 19, 2026, with a technical assistance webinar scheduled for June 29, 2026. Awards are expected to be made by September 30, 2026, with project periods typically lasting 24 months, including two 12-month budget periods and the possibility of a competitive third year. This opportunity represents a significant federal investment in addressing the long-term needs of survivors of sexual exploitation and abuse through structured, high-quality residential care.

Emphasize long-term residential care over short-term shelter; demonstrate trauma-informed therapeutic model; include strong multidisciplinary partnerships; clearly justify staffing ratios and capacity; align closely with evaluation criteria