Question to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what guidance his Department has published on domestic abuse victims' rights to stay in their home; and what recent discussions he has with the specialist domestic abuse sector on developing cost-effective housing pathways for domestic abuse victims.

In November 2018 the Government issued new statutory guidance for local authorities to improve access to social housing for victims of domestic abuse who are in a refuge or other form of safe temporary accommodation: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/753667/Improving_access_to_social_housing_for_victims_of_domestic_abuse.pdf

The guidance also sets out how local authorities can use their existing powers to support victims to remain safely in their homes if they choose to do so.

In addition, in August 2020 Government updated guidance for victims of domestic abuse which includes details of trusted sources of advice, including on housing matters: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/domestic-abuse-how-to-get-help

My officials regularly engage with the domestic abuse sector on a number of issues relating to housing.