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EXHIBIT l~-~: SAMPLE NOTICE TO HORSING CHOICE VOUCHER OWNERS AND I~IANAGERS REGARDING THE VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN ACT (VA'VVA) This sample notice was adapted from a notice prepared by the 1Vational Housing Law Project. A federal law that went into effect in 2006 protects individuals who are victims of domestic violence, dating violence, and stalking, The name of the law is the Violence against Women Act, or "VAWA." This notice explains your obligations under VAWA, Protections for Victims You cannot refuse to rent to an applicant solely because he or she is a victim of domestic violence, dating violence, or stalking. You cannot evict a tenant who is the victim of domestic violence, dating violence, or stalking based on acts or threats of violence committed against the victim. Also, criminal acts directly related to the domestic violence, dating violence, or stalking that are caused by a household member or guest cannot be cause for evicting the victim of the abuse. Permissible Evictions You can evict a victim of domestic violence, dating violence, or stalking if you can demonstrate that there is an actual or imminent immediate) threat to other tenants or employees at the property if the victim is not evicted Alsog you may evict a victim for serious or repeated lease violations that are not related to the domestic violence, dating violence, or stalking, You cannot hold a victim of domestic violence, dating violence, or stalking to a more demanding standard that tenants who are not victims. Removing the Abuser from the Household You may split the lease to evict a tenant who has committed criminal acts of violence against family members or others, while allowing the victim and other household members to stay in the unit. If you choose to remove the abuser, you may not take away the remaining tenants' rights to the unit or other<~rise punish the remaining tenants. ~n removing the abuser frorr~ the household, you must follow federal, state, and local eviction procedures. Certification of Domestic Violence, Dating Violence, or Stalling If a tenant asserts VAWA's protections, you can ask the tenant to certify that he or she is a victim of domestic violence, dating violence, or stalking, You are not required to demand official documentation and may rely upon the victim's statement alone. If you choose to request certification, you must do so in writing and give the tenant at least 14 business days to provide documentation, You are free to extend this deadline. A tenant can certify that he or she is a victim by providing any one of the following three documents: By completing a ~JD-approved certification form. The most recent form is HUD-X0066. This form is available at the housing authority, or online at htt :l/www.hud. ov/of~cesladn~~udcli sl. icy providing a statement from a victim service provider, attorney, or medical professional who has helped the victim address incidents of domestic violence, dating violence, or stalking. The professional must state that he or she believes that the incidents of abuse are real. both the victim and the professional must sign the statement under penalty of perjury. o~~o~il~ Page 16-3~