Women and homelessness: Proposals from the department of the environments II. Domestic violence

Abstract

Proposals to reverse homelessness legislation dating from 1977 are contained in a Consultation Paper (DOE, 1994a) and Housing White Paper (HMSO, 1995). These stem from concerns about ‘abuse' by lone mothers. The two articles published view the proposed changes as issues of women's housing access, in particular lone mothers and women experiencing domestic violence. Among those currently statutorily homeless, 43 per cent are lone mothers; most have suffered relationship breakdown, often with violence. The current homelessness legislation is of great importance to women experiencing domestic violence. Contrary to claims made in the Consultation Paper, the legislation - as implemented - creates serious 'disincentives' for these women. The Government's proposals for dismantling the legislation will severely undermine women’s efforts to escape violence as well as recent national and local Government-endorsed initiatives to tackle domestic violence.

Key Words:

• homelessness
• lone mothers
• domestic violence
• Department of the Environment Consultation Paper: Access to Local Authority and Housing Association Tenancies (1994)
• Our Future Homes: Opportunity
• Choice
• Responsibility
• Cmnd 2901 (1995)