Domestic Abuse and Homelessness

Here is information from Refuge on homelessness and domestic abuse: 

" A woman is legally considered homeless when she is living with a perpetrator or living in a refuge. Even if you are not living with a perpetrator, but the perpetrator knows where you live, you might still be considered legally homeless".

You can read more about this here 

https://www.nationaldahelpline.org.uk/en/Help-with-housing

Automatic Priority Need for People Who are Homeless Due to Domestic Abuse

From 5 July 2021, people who are homeless as a result of domestic abuse have automatic priority need if the abuse meets the definition in the Domestic Abuse Act 2021. 

Local authorities have a duty to secure accommodation for a number of groups who are deemed to have a ‘priority need’ if they were to become homeless. Pregnant women and households with dependent children are automatically in priority need. But there are several other groups who are in priority need if they would be vulnerable if they were to become homeless

Victims of domestic abuse used to have to fulfill this “vulnerability test”. But the new policy removes the vulnerability test.

This amended priority need category applies to decisions made on or after 5 July 2021.

You can read more about this priority status here

https://england.shelter.org.uk/professional_resources/legal/homelessness_applications/priority_need_in_homeless_applications/priority_need_if_homeless_due_to_violence_or_abuse#title-0

And if you need advice for a family you are working with regarding domestic violence and homelessness, please do contact our friends in Camden Safety Net (Caitriona Scanlan, Afua Adjei or Deborah Edwards, all on Outlook).