Domestic abuse and housing
It is important that every effort is made to ensure that individuals and their children who are in fear or under threat of violence have a safe place to stay.
Local Authorities receive a significant number of applications for assistance (usually) from women and women with children who are homeless or threatened with homelessness for this reason every year.
Many families are able to remain in their own accommodation or stay with friends and relatives whilst their home is made safe through home security improvements and with the protection provided through legal action (such as non molestation orders).
For families that are forced to leave their homes to escape domestic violence the local authority, in conjunction with services such as ours will provide advice and assistance to help them find alternative accommodation, in the private rented, social housing or owner occupied sector.
The Housing and Homelessness Acts
The Housing Act 1996 and Homelessness Act 2002 sets out the responsibilities and duties placed upon the Local Authority to assist families in this situation. Families in need of emergency accommodation will either be found a placement in a refuge or in Local Authority temporary accommodation (generally a hostel or Bed and Breakfast), either in the local area if it is safe to do so, or in another town if there is a risk to the victim's safety. In addition, people will be provided with practical and emotional support to help them adjust to their situation.
The process
If you are working with someone who is suffering domestic violence you can contact your local domestic abuse service (IDAS / Women's Aid) or your local council (housing department).
The local council will make an assessment of your client's circumstances and may arrange emergency accommodation. The housing worker will be required to ask many questions in order that they can assess the individuals' needs and whether there is evidence of violence or threat of violence. If you are advising a client, it is generally helpful to get them to write down what has been happening so that they can give the worker the detailed information that will be required. You may also request an interview with someone of the same sex on behalf of your client.
In assessing whether someone is escaping domestic abuse, government guidelines state: "local authorities should not seek proof of violence or contact the perpetrator, but may wish to confirm the situation by seeking information from friends, relatives, social services, doctors and the police." In addition Local Authorities must not assume that measures which a victim has taken to prevent actual or threatened violence are necessarily effective in preventing the risk of further violence.
For more information visit the local authority websites at:
For in-depth advice about housing related matters, including homelessness, ring HARP on 01609 761778.
For more specific information on anything you have read about contact us at: info@idas.org.uk
Across North Yorkshire
Advice, accommodation, support
03000 110 110
24hr National Helpline
0808 2000 247
