Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of local authority housing-related debt rules on domestic abuse survivors who are placed in temporary accommodation and seeking social housing.

Local housing authorities can already take into account an applicant’s financial resources when considering their application, including debt and affordability checks.

We would expect local authorities to show consideration for the circumstances in which the debt was accrued.

Statutory guidance encourages local housing authorities to support victims of domestic abuse. The government is committed to keeping our statutory guidance under review, including how we support vulnerable groups such as victims of domestic abuse.

My Department will publish its homelessness strategy before the end of the year.