Homelessness prevention by Safer London

Pan-London social housing reciprocal for victims of violence/abuse

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The context

Domestic abuse is the leading cause of women’s homelessness in Scotland, accounting for over a quarter of female applicants in 2020-21. Fife Women’s Aid’s 2015 report underlines the extent to which the ‘homelessness route’ – with all the loss, harm and lack of choice that entails – was the primary housing option offered to women experiencing abuse. Whilst a violent or abusive relationship at home accounts for 12% of homelessness applications, other violence-related reasons, including hate crime and gang violence, make up a further 3% of presentations.

It’s not always a safe option for a person or family to remain at home when subjected to abuse or violence, even with enhanced security measures. But where households are social tenants, a third alternative, which protects safety and security of tenure whilst also preventing homelessness, is possible. A coordinated, multi-agency approach, such as Safer London’s reciprocal transfer scheme, shows how managed moves can work with a large number of different landlords.

The intervention

The Pan-London Housing Reciprocal was set up in 2017 for social tenants at risk of domestic abuse, sexual exploitation, ‘honour’-based violence, hate crime, serious youth violence and other community safety risks. The Reciprocal enables transfer to a new tenancy in a safer area of the city. It is funded by the Mayor’s Office for Policing and Crime and coordinated by Safer London.

Referrals to the Reciprocal can be made by social landlords themselves, supporting agencies, or other professionals. Safer London coordinates property requests between landlords and applicants and also ensures movers get the support they need throughout the process. This includes ensuring resettlement and tenancy sustainment support following a move.

Though the scheme is voluntary for social landlords, Safer London seeks commitment from each for a target number of homes per year (based on stock size). They match households with suitable homes put forward by participating landlords. Through Safer London’s partnership with the Greater London Authority’s choice-based letting scheme, applicants can bid on homes across the city (apart from in the borough of risk), with top priority. Safer London also asks landlords to consider waiving policies on arrears, as economic abuse often overlaps with domestic abuse, creating a further barrier to safety.

The outcome

Since the scheme was piloted, the Reciprocal has signed up 83 social landlords, including all stock-holding London Councils, spanning homes in every borough of the city, and processed over 1,920 requests for tenancy transfers. 63% of requests came from applicants fleeing a form of violence against women and girls. 86% of referrals had a female lead applicant, of whom 71% had children.

56% of applicants received an offer, with 441 adults and children ultimately moving to a new social tenancy in a safe borough, avoiding homelessness. Feedback sought by Safer London from applicants who have moved has been positive: all but one tenant reported feeling safer in their new home. Professionals involved in the process valued strong communication and coordination from the team.

Key insights

• discuss property commitments and quotas from landlords at the outset of partnerships (the Reciprocal has experienced a shortage of larger and groundfloor, adapted homes)
• ensure the scheme is accessible to marginalised groups: for example, make links with LGBTQ+ specialist organisations to ensure a safe pathway for those fleeing homophobic hate crime
• moving to a choice-based bidding system can be incredibly empowering for survivors of abuse, giving people an element of choice and control back over their housing situation

Find out more…

Deborah Kabahinda, Project Officer, Safer London
deborahkabahinda@saferlondon.org.uk