New guidance to ensure victims of domestic abuse can easily
access safe, long-term accommodation is published
today (30 October 2017).
The guidance, which is subject to a 10-week consultation, makes
it clear that local authorities should treat victims of domestic
abuse, currently in safe accommodation such as a refuge, as a
priority for social housing. It also makes clear that those
victims who have fled to refuges in other parts of the country
should not be disadvantaged in accessing social housing.
In addition, local authorities are being encouraged to use their
existing powers to help victims of domestic abuse to remain
safely in their own home without their abuser, if they wish to.
Communities Minister said:
Domestic abuse is a devastating crime with complex challenges
that extend far beyond the boundaries of local authorities.
That’s why we’re committed to providing local authorities with
the robust guidance they need to improve victims’ access to
long-term and secure housing they need to rebuild their lives.
The guidance comes during Domestic Violence Awareness Month, and
is one of a number of measures the government has introduced to
ensure that those who have to flee their homes due to violence
have the specialist support they need to rebuild their lives:
- In March 2016 we confirmed £80 million of funding to 2020 to
combat violence against women and girls. In the March 2017, we
announced a further £20 million for this work, bringing the total
funding up to £100 million over the Parliament to support victims
- In November 2016 we launched a £20 million fund over 2 years
for specialist accommodation based support and service reform in
local areas. As a result we were able to help 76 projects in
England, creating more than 2,200 bed spaces and giving support
to over 19,000 victims
We will shortly be introducing a new landmark Domestic Violence
and Abuse Bill to protect and support victims, recognise the
life-long impact domestic abuse has on children and make sure
agencies effectively respond to domestic abuse.
The guidance published will build on and clarify existing
guidelines which encourage local authorities to make exceptions
to the residency tests and give appropriate priority to the most
vulnerable in our society.
The government has also been considering the recommendations of
the joint report on the future
of supported housing produced by the Department for
Communities and Local Government and the Department for Work and
Pensions. It will be publishing its response to this on Tuesday
31 October 2017.
The Prime Minister announced earlier this week that as part of
our response to this review we will not be applying the Local
Housing Allowance cap to supported housing.
The consultation will
be open until 5 January 2018.
We recently confirmed plans for a new generation of council and
housing association homes through a further £2 billion funding
boost bringing investment in affordable housing to over
£9 billion.
