This event is being held in partnership with Places for People.
Event description:
Government figures for 2023/4 identified domestic abuse as one of the leading causes of homelessness and as the most frequent reason for loss of the last settled home for those owed a duty by a local authority to relieve homelessness.
After decades of underfunding the legal system and avenues for support by the Conservatives, survivors of domestic abuse are frequently left with no option but to leave home and present as homeless.
Since entering Government, Labour has acted with speed, exempting survivors of domestic abuse from local connection tests for homelessness support, and providing £160 million for councils to help provide safe accommodation and support for domestic abuse survivors. But more will need to be done to ensure that all survivors have routes for safe housing.
This event will explore the following questions:
- What does Labour need to do to ensure that survivors of domestic abuse have safe housing options?
- How is Labour’s shift from treatment to prevention in the case of homelessness applying for survivors of domestic abuse?
- What legal barriers are there to providing the necessary support for survivors?
- What role can registered providers and not-for-profits play in providing safe options for survivors?
Format:
The event will begin with 5-7 minute contributions from the panellists, followed by some questions from the chair, and a short Q&A from the audience, collected in batches of three. The event will finish promptly at 12:00.
Invited to the panel are:
- Jess Asato MP, Officer of the APPG for Domestic Violence and Abuse
- Polly Neate, Former Chief Executive of Shelter (Invited)
- Cllr Heather Johnston, London Borough of Camden (Chair)
