Victims of domestic abuse and other forms of abuse
If you are a victim of domestic abuse or other forms of abuse and violence, it is likely you will be considered in priority need.
This is because you are considered vulnerable as you have had to leave your home due to the threat of violence against you.
Being awarded priority need as a result of domestic abuse or other forms of abuse and violence means:
- You will be eligible for emergency accommodation which will allow to leave your current situation as soon as possible, and provide a temporary safe haven for you whilst you work to create a longer-term accommodation plan.
- Emergency accommodation could include B&B accommodation, refuge accommodation or temporary accommodation.
About being placed in refuge accommodation
- If you are a victim of domestic abuse, you are likely to be offered refuge accommodation. This is because refuges offer extra help and support to people who are facing domestic abuse and can help to guide you through the various processes you will need to navigate to achieve a positive outcome.
- Refuges also offer an extra layer of security as their locations are kept secret and the premises have enhanced security measures in place to support residents.
- Such refuges are usually for women and their families, however there are some refuges that offer support to men and transgender customers.
- If you have no income and are placed in a refuge, our housing team, or the refuge team, will support you to apply for universal credit to pay for your refuge accommodation.
- If you are a homeowner (e.g. named on the mortgage), this may be a more lengthy process, as the DWP will require information in relation to you home ownership status which we/the refuge team can help you to gather.
- If you have an income or savings and are placed in a refuge you may be expected to contribute to the cost of your accommodation.
About being placed in B&B or temporary accommodation
- If you are placed in B&B or temporary accommodation (which in Lichfield District are flats and houses set aside for very short-term lets, which people are placed in whilst they look for a longer term housing solution).
- If you have no income and are placed in a emergency accommodation, our housing team will support you to apply for housing benefit to pay for your accommodation.
- If you are a homeowner (e.g. named on the mortgage), this may be a more lengthy process, as the council will require information in relation to you home ownership status which we can help you to gather.
- If you have an income or savings you may be expected to contribute to the cost of your accommodation.
What if I don't want to go into B&B, temporary accommodation or refuge accommodation
If you are a victim of any form of abuse, we would strongly recommend you accept any form of temporary and safe accommodation offered to you.
Due to the shortage of social rented homes in the district, it is highly unlikely that you will be able to move immediately into a longer-term housing solution, unless you have access to your own funds and can arrange for a private tenancy/home purchase.
This is because there are limited social houses in the district and at any one time we have approximately 400 people waiting to be housed through the register.
Find out more about social rented housing and how long you are likely to wait.
Longer term housing
What happens after your stay in emergency accomodation, depends on your personal circumstances.
If you have no income/capital/are not a homeowner and are on a low income, you will likely be eligible for social rented accommodation, and will likely be placed in the emergency band. Our housing team, or the refuge team, will help you to apply for our housing register.
If you have an income or savings, we will work with you to signpost appropriate private rented accommodation and can support you with loans for a deposit and moving costs.
If you are a homeowner and have no income/savings, we can signpost you to free legal advice through our partners One Law (you may have your own legal advice) who will work with you in relation to your family home. Having a family home may not preclude you from being eligible for the housing register, however every case needs to be assessed on its own merits, and our team will work with you to support you in relation to your long-term accommodation plan.
Find out how to register as homeless as a result of abuse or violence against you.