Domestic violence victims to receive support in new housing scheme
Survivors of domestic violence will be given more support to move home under a new housing scheme.
The scheme will ensure those with lifetime tenancies in social housing who flee a violent relationship will not lose their security of tenure and are provided with a new home.
In 2015/16 more than 5,000 of social lettings went to existing social tenants who had left their previous home as a result of domestic abuse.
Announcing the policy Communities Minister Lord Bourne said: “Our priority is to support survivors of domestic abuse and their families through the most difficult time of their lives by making sure they have a long-term home to call their own.
“Families with secure tenancies who have made the brave decision to leave an abusive situation should not have to forfeit their right to a home, leaving them at risk of returning to live with the perpetrator.
“That’s why we are taking action to enable them to live independently in safety with the opportunity to rebuild their lives.”
The Secure Tenancies (Victims of Domestic Abuse) Bill is set to be introduced in the House of Lords this week and will protect lifetime tenancy for survivors.
Since 2010 a number of measures have been taken to ensure that those who flee their homes due to violence have the specialist support they need to rebuild their lives.
These include £80 million of funding, confirmed to 2020, to combat violence against women and girls.
A further £20 million was announced in March’s Budget, bringing the total funding up to £100 million over the Parliament to support victims.
The Government also launched a 10-week consultation in October on new guidance to clarify that survivors of domestic abuse should be treated as a priority for social housing.
As part of its manifesto, the Government committed to publishing a draft Domestic Violence and Abuse Bill this session, to protect and support survivors, recognise the life-long impact domestic abuse has on children and make sure agencies effectively respond to domestic abuse.
Copyright (c) Press Association Ltd. 2017, All Rights Reserved. Picture (c) Niall Carson / PA Wire.
