The General Assembly finds that: an increasing number of victims of domestic violence are forced to leave their homes to ensure their life, safety, and welfare; victims of domestic violence and their children often are economically dependent on the abuser and have no place to live outside the household; and in the past, these victims of domestic violence have been ignored and, therefore, there is a lack of counseling, service, and quality emergency public or private housing to provide a place to live for these victims of domestic violence and their children.