Human trafficking rings tear lives apart, but now survivors in Louisiana are getting a shot at shelter and stability. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Louisiana announced a $499,458 federal grant to fund safe housing for victims of trafficking, a critical lifeline in a crime that thrives in silence and desperation.
The funds, awarded by the Department of Justice’s Office for Victims of Crime, will flow to Empower 225, a Baton Rouge-based nonprofit that combats homelessness and exploitation. The organization’s HOPE Team specializes in mentoring survivors, delivering counseling, and training frontline responders. With this grant, Empower 225 will provide six to 24 months of transitional housing, covering rent, utilities, security deposits, and relocation costs for those escaping trafficking.
U.S. Attorney Brandon J. Fremin called the award a major boost in the fight against one of the most predatory crimes in the underground economy. “This funding will assist victims of this terrible crime by allowing service providers to enhance their efforts in combatting human trafficking in Louisiana,” Fremin said, stressing the DOJ’s commitment to empowering local groups that serve the most vulnerable.
Nationwide, the DOJ is funneling over $35 million to 73 organizations like Empower 225, underscoring the scale of the crisis. Attorney General William P. Barr condemned human trafficking as a “barbaric criminal enterprise” that strips victims of dignity and safety. “These new resources expand on our efforts to offer those who have suffered the shelter and support they need to begin a new and better life,” Barr said.
The grant arrives amid growing awareness that trafficking cases are vastly underreported. A recent National Institute of Justice report confirms police data likely captures only a fraction of actual victimization. OJP Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Katharine T. Sullivan emphasized that housing is not just shelter—it’s a tool of liberation. “Human traffickers dangle the threat of homelessness as a weapon,” Sullivan said. “These grants help survivors break free and build self-sufficiency.”
Since 2018, federal anti-trafficking programs have served more than 8,300 clients nationwide, including confirmed victims and those showing strong signs of exploitation. The DOJ continues to prioritize victim services, with the full list of grant recipients and allocations available through the Office of Justice Programs. In Louisiana, the work begins behind closed doors—where survivors rebuild lives, one stable night at a time.
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Key Facts
- State: Louisiana
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Human Trafficking
- Source: Official Source ↗
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