The new Domestic Abuse Capacity Building Fund – what does it mean for councils?

On the 5 October, the minister for rough sleeping and housing, Kelly Tolhurst MP, highlighted £6 million in funding to help councils prepare for new domestic abuse duties under the Bill, which is welcome news.

We know there has been an upsurge in domestic abuse during the pandemic as many individuals have been locked down with their abusers. The UK’s largest domestic abuse charity, Refuge, has reported a 700% increase in calls to its helpline in a single day, while a separate helpline for perpetrators of domestic abuse seeking help to change their behaviour received 25% more calls after the start of the pandemic.

Organisations that support victims have been over-stretched and many landlords were forced to pause allocations and lettings at the beginning of the lockdown period. Additionally, refuges have been and continue to operate at full capacity, meaning that victims have found themselves with nowhere to turn.

Domestic abuse has long been one of the main drivers of homelessness. When passed, the Domestic Abuse Bill will make domestic abuse a specific criterion for being considered in ‘priority need’. Currently, section 189 of the Housing Act 1996 defines six categories of people who must be accepted as in priority need, which include: pregnant women; households with dependent children; all 16-17 year olds provided they are not a relevant child under social services; all 18-20-year olds (other than 'relevant students') who at any time after reaching the age of sixteen but while still under eighteen were, but are no longer, looked after, accommodated or fostered; any person that has lost their accommodation as a result of an emergency; and any person deemed ‘vulnerable’. Domestic abuse will make up the seventh category.

This new funding is intended to be used by councils in England to commission additional vital support for those victims of domestic abuse and their children who might currently be turned away from refuges and other safe accommodation because their needs cannot be met. The funding should allow councils to plan appropriate accommodation and specialist services ahead of the Domestic Abuse Bill which is likely to come into force over the next six months. It aims to help ensure that in all areas of the country services are better joined up - for example, this could be linking in with other agencies such as police or health commissioners, and by ensuring that staff receive the specialist training that they need regarding the new duties.

Councils are expected to be ready for this new duty and will be held accountable by the new Domestic Abuse Commissioner. A consultation has been launched on how the new funding associated with the duties should be allocated effectively to meet the new duties. You can read further guidance on the domestic abuse capacity building fund here.

CIH continues to raise awareness of domestic abuse and we are committed to supporting organisations to combat the devastating impacts of this appalling crime.