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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps the Government is taking to help local authorities make accommodation and social housing available for victims of domestic abuse.

On 17 February we announced £16.6 million for support to victims of domestic abuse, and their children, within safe accommodation (2020/21). The fund will go to 75 local authority led projects to maintain essential existing services, as well as deliver new services.

We have also put in place a system for local authorities to meet additional demand due to COVID-19 enabling them to book rooms for domestic abuse victims through Crown Commercial Services.

In relation to social housing, we have already ensured that victims of domestic abuse get the priority they deserve. Statutory guidance issued in 2012 encourages authorities to give additional preference (high priority) to people who require urgent rehousing as a result of domestic abuse.

In 2018 we issued further statutory guidance to improve access to social housing for those who have escaped abuse and are being accommodated in a refuge or other form of safe temporary accommodation. It sets out how local authorities can ensure that victims and their families are given appropriate priority as well as setting a strong expectation that local authorities should not apply residency tests for those who have been force to flee to another district.

On 2 May the Government announced its intent, through the Domestic Abuse Bill, to give those who are homeless as a result of being a victim of domestic abuse priority need for accommodation secured by the local authority. This will help to ensure victims do not remain with their abuser for fear of not having a roof over their head.