The Houston Area Women’s Center (HAWC) is proud to announce the opening of phase one of One Safe Place Houston, marking the next chapter in its 48-year history of empowering survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, and sex trafficking. One Safe Place Houston represents a groundbreaking initiative in survivor care—a comprehensive, secure and disclosed, 5.5-acre campus designed to provide wraparound client-centered services for survivors and their children. This facility is the first of its kind and one-of-a-kind and radically reimagines what housing should look like for a survivor on their transformative journey.

With domestic violence homicides on the rise in our city, the opening of phase one of One Safe Place Houston could not come at a more critical time for survivors and our city. In 2024, one in four homicides in Houston were due to intimate partner violence (IPV). Domestic violence is not just a private matter; it’s a public health crisis affecting people across our city and the numbers keep rising. In partnership with the public and private sectors, we are committed to preventing violence by providing education, resources and support for survivors while also improving community wide systems collaboration on their behalf.

HAWC has long been more than just a shelter and hotline. Since 1977, HAWC has served as a lifeline for countless women and families in Houston. Today, it serves as a powerful force for change, offering both residential and non-residential services aimed at breaking the cycle of abuse and supporting survivors in their healing journey and rebuilding their lives.

One Safe Place Houston will feature:

• 135 supportive housing apartments for survivors and their children.

• 24-hour crisis response and assessment center offering immediate assistance and access to comprehensive care.

• A Survivor Economic Empowerment Hub is designed to equip survivors with the skills and resources they need to heal and rebuild their lives.

• Owned and operated by HAWC, this facility is paving the way for lasting change, offering a safe, healing environment where survivors can break free from the cycle of violence and begin their journey toward a safer and enhanced future.

We believe safety is a shared responsibility among law enforcement, prosecutors, advocacy agencies, and the public. HAWC is inviting media partners, community advocates and local officials to attend and witness this historic moment.