A proactive review of the way council houses are allocated to those who need them is taking place – and now the people of Sheffield are being asked to give their views on how that should be done.
New policy will support tenants and residents who have experienced or are at risk of domestic abuse
A new policy will help support Sheffield’s council tenants and residents who are at risk of falling victim to domestic abuse.
Yesterday’s (Thursday 5th December, 2024) Housing Policy Committee approved implementing the policy that sets out clear standards for the Council’s response to reports of domestic abuse. It builds on the good work elsewhere in the council.
It also sets clear expectations and provides clarity in what the Council expects partner agencies and our tenants to do, and ensures the Council continues to work alongside the Domestic Abuse Housing Alliance (DAHA) to receive accreditation from the body’s best practice framework.
The Regulator of Social Housing (RSH) also requires local authority landlords to have a policy detailing how they recognise and effectively respond to cases of domestic abuse as part of the new social housing regulations introduced in April this year.
Domestic Abuse has a significant impact on the communities the Housing Service deliver services to – as it does nationally for all local authorities. A Domestic Abuse Policy will ensure we have the frameworks in place to deliver the best possible services to those tenants and residents who are affected by domestic abuse.
In 2022/23, there were 18,358 known victims of domestic abuse in Sheffield. Domestic abuse is one of Sheffield’s top three reasons for homeless presentations, and domestic abuse victims and survivors account for the joint top cohort currently living in temporary accommodation.
What this policy will provide in terms of extra support for both residents and council staff includes more opportunities for disclosure. These will be provided through dedicated support, communication and completion of assessments with tenants, including within their homes. Officers may identify the signs of abuse or may have abuse disclosed to them.
Identifying these signs earlier on and signposting victims and survivors to support may prevent abuse from escalating, also helping to prevent homelessness or the need for emergency temporary accommodation.
Together, everyone can work together to ensure Sheffield is home to great neighbourhoods that people are happy to call home, where people live in caring, engaged communities that value diversity and support wellbeing.
Cllr Douglas Johnson, Chair of the Council’s Housing Committee, said:
“As one of the largest local authority landlords in the country, we must do all we can to help and protect those who need us.
“Domestic abuse has a terrible and unacceptable effect on people and can destroy lives. We want anyone who needs support to know where to turn to so they can receive it.
“This policy will help protect those who live under Council roofs, while also ensuring all our partners who work together to manage our neighbourhoods know what is expected of them, as well as everyone who calls Sheffield home.
- To view the policy, head to the Council website
- For more on domestic abuse support in Sheffield, again visit the council website
- Sheffield’s Domestic Abuse Helpline is available by calling 0808 808 2241
