PARLIAMENTARY WRITTEN QUESTION
Homelessness: Domestic Abuse (18 January 2019)

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether he plans to introduce priority housing status for all homeless survivors of domestic abuse in the forthcoming Domestic Abuse Bill.

Asked by:
Sarah Champion (Labour)

Domestic abuse is an abhorrent crime that nobody should have to suffer. The Government is absolutely committed to protecting victims of domestic abuse and their families.

A victim of domestic abuse already has priority need under the homelessness legislation if they are vulnerable as a result of having to leave accommodation because of violence from another person, or threats of violence from another person that are likely to be carried out.

In addition, people who are homeless or owed a duty under the homelessness legislation must be given reasonable preference (priority) for social housing. Statutory guidance issued in 2012 goes further and makes it clear that local authorities should consider giving additional preference (high priority) to those who are homeless and require urgent rehousing as a result of domestic abuse.

The Department has no plans currently to change the definition of priority need or reasonable preference.

Answered by:
Mrs Heather Wheeler (Conservative)
28 January 2019