Focus Areas

Policy Analysis | Human Trafficking Survivors | Housing Justice | Human Rights | Anti-trafficking

PROJECT OVERVIEW

The selected student will work with the University of Maryland Support, Advocacy, Freedom, and Empowerment (SAFE) Center for Human Trafficking Survivors (https://umdsafecenter.org/), which is committed to advancing survivor-centered, trauma-informed, and sustainable housing solutions for victims of sex and labor trafficking.

Stable housing is a cornerstone of recovery and long-term economic independence, however, survivors often face barriers such as limited shelter options, a lack of affordable rental units, limited landlord engagement, and fragmented service systems.

The SAFE Center is expanding its Housing First approach, prioritizing immediate access to safe housing, through research, partnership building, and policy advocacy. The selected UM Scholar will support the SAFE Center’s housing strategy project by exploring models of survivor housing, identifying best practices, and developing policy recommendations to strengthen Maryland’s coordinated response to housing instability among trafficking survivors.

The UM Scholar will engage in applied research and policy analysis to inform the SAFE Center’s advocacy and partnership initiatives. This work builds on prior collaborations, with the Maryland State Human Trafficking Task Force and Prince George’s County housing services committee,  which identified systemic barriers in survivor access to housing programs.  

 

 

ABOUT THE PROJECT

As a UM Scholar, you will have the opportunity to support the SAFE Center’s housing research and policy development initiatives.

The selected UM Scholar will contribute to expanding safe, stable, and sustainable housing options for survivors of human trafficking by focusing on three key areas: research and analysis, partnership development, and policy advocacy and outreach.

Throughout the project, the UM Scholar will gain hands-on experience in applied research, policy analysis, and collaborative advocacy working alongside housing providers, government agencies, and coalitions to inform systems changes and expand survivor access to housing resources.

 

Scope of Work

  1. Research and Analysis
    • Conduct research on best practices and models of trauma-informed housing for survivors of human trafficking and other vulnerable populations.
    • Analyze state and county housing policies to identify barriers and opportunities for survivors’ access to affordable housing and supportive services.
    • Compile data on existing housing programs, funding streams, and eligibility criteria to create a comprehensive resource map for survivors.
  2. Partnership Development
    • Engage with local housing authorities, nonprofit organizations, developers, and coalitions to strengthen partnerships.
    • Support SAFE Center leadership in convening multi-sector workgroups or housing roundtables focused on survivor access to affordable and supportive housing.
    • Identify potential private sector partners, particularly within real estate and property management, interested in survivor-focused housing collaborations.
  3. Policy Advocacy and Outreach
    • Participate in the SAFE Center’s advocacy initiatives related to local and state housing policy, including research for legislative testimony, policy briefs, and stakeholder education materials.

 

Proposed Activities and Tasks
The UM Scholar will have the opportunity to engage in the following activities:

  • Conduct literature reviews on survivor housing models and Housing First implementation.
  • Map available housing resources and funding streams (federal, state, and local).
  • Analyze gaps between existing housing programs and the needs of trafficking survivors.
  • Support stakeholder interviews and focus groups with survivors, housing providers, and policymakers.
  • Draft internal reports and advocacy materials, summarizing findings and recommendations.

 

Daily Schedule
A typical day for the UM Scholar might include:

  • Participating in a morning team meeting to review research updates and partnership activities.
  • Conducting research or data analysis related to housing policy or resource mapping.
  • Drafting policy summaries or writing sections of a research brief.
  • Attending meetings with housing partners or county representatives alongside SAFE Center staff.
  • Preparing materials for stakeholder engagement or advocacy events.

 

Training and Development
The UM Scholar will receive specialized training in:

  • Trauma-informed care, with a focus on working with survivors of human trafficking.
  • Community outreach strategies and program development tailored to at-risk youth.
  • Data collection, analysis, and reporting techniques specific to human trafficking and youth empowerment.
  • Legal frameworks and policy issues related to human trafficking, child protection, and social advocacy.

 

Skill Development and Practices

Throughout the project, the UM Scholar will develop:

  • Trauma-informed and survivor-centered care frameworks for housing services.
  • Research methodologies for social policy and human services.
  • Policy analysis and development related to housing and human trafficking.
  • Cross-sector partnership strategies for systems-level advocacy.

 

High-Level Learning Objectives

Throughout the project, the UM Scholar will:

  • Gain practical experience in applied housing research and policy development for vulnerable populations.
  • Develop partnership-building and stakeholder engagement skills in a multidisciplinary setting.
  • Understand how advocacy and systems-level collaboration drive policy reform and sustainable housing access for survivors of trafficking.
  • Strengthen research, communication, and policy writing skills within a real-world anti-trafficking framework.

 

IDEAL CANDIDATE

This project is ideal for a graduate or upper-level undergraduate student with an interest in applied research, policy analysis, survivor-centered care, advocacy and systems-change, housing justice, and urban planning. Students enrolled in Urban Planning programs or a related field are encouraged to apply.

Preferred skills include:

  • Research and writing proficiency.
  • Familiarity with housing policy or social services.
  • Demonstrated interest in human rights, anti-trafficking, or social justice initiatives.

 

ELIGIBLE STUDENTS

Students may come from UMB’s School of Graduate Studies, School of Social Work, and Francis King Carey School of Law.  

 

 

PROJECT LOCATION

This project will be conducted in a hybrid format – Remote and in-person at the SAFE Center. The SAFE Center office is located on Baltimore Avenue within walking distance of UMCP’s campus.

Some tasks, including research, can be completed remotely, but there will also be designated in-person requirements, including meetings, hands-on activities, and specific project-related tasks that require on-site participation.

 

PROJECT LEAD/PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

The UM Scholar will work under the supervision of Kinicki Hughes, who serves as the Senior Housing Program Specialist.

 

 

EMAIL: Kinicki.hughes@umaryland.edu

BIO: Kinicki Hughes

 

 

PROJECT REQUIREMENTS:

  • 10 weeks/400-hour student research project conducted with schedule mutually defined and agreed upon by the student and mentor.
  • The project is funded by the University of Maryland Strategic Partnership: MPowering the State (MPower) and is a part of the UM Scholars program.
  • The selected student will receive a stipend for their work, to be paid in multiple installments over the 10 weeks.
    • $5,500 for undergraduate students
    • $6,500 for graduate students
  • Work is expected to occur during typical business hours; Monday-Friday, 9am-5pm.
  • To be eligible, the student must be enrolled in the Fall 2026 semester.
  • Traveling to and from UMCP, as well as parking, is the responsibility of the student and costs are included in the stipend.
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