From Despair to Repair...? - Analysis - Housing
From Despair to Repair...?
Analysis - Housing
Participants lived mainly in permanent accommodation either rented accommodation, New Charter or their own property. Those that were in temporary accommodation were housed in the refuge or other such establishment.
At some point 64% of participants had requested to be re-housed or sought other accommodation. 22% of these were not successful in seeking to be re-housed. Housing agencies scored low on response time to resolve issues.
Some participants suffered problems with getting re-housed:
- Perpetrators name was on previous mortgage
- Tenancy offers were limited
- Believed that they were victimised by Housing Aid staff members
- The process was time consuming
- The participant was under 18 years
Of those that were re-housed when they left the relationship, the majority felt the process was explained in an understandable way. 67% of those who were re-housed were happy with the property that was offered to them.
There was a lack of information to the participants about home security and personal safety. Those that had received some information had received it on request from Victim Support and other agencies and not from housing services. Participants seemed to feel that home security information and advice for those leaving an abusive relationship would be of benefit. Some residents of the refuge requested crime prevention/personal safety talks.
Participants held mixed views as to whether they would have liked to stay in their home. Participants felt annoyed that they had to leave and not the perpetrator. Others felt that the house had bad memories and it would be safer for them to leave, and have a fresh start. Others blamed a lack of finance for staying in the house. Some felt that if the perpetrator was arrested or they had known about occupation orders they would have stayed.
The majority of the additional comments about housing were quite negative. They were concerned about the attitude of staff and felt that many of the staff were ill informed, rude and unhelpful. Staff attitude was considered worse towards males and employees of TMBC than other female victims. There were concerns about the confidentiality of the service as one perpetrator had been informed of the victim's new address. Requests were made for quicker repairs to properties either before they moved in or while they were in the property. Many would have preferred more choice and a quicker service from housing agencies. A number didn't feel safe in the area in which they were placed.
Many of those that were currently in the Refuge were scared of being re-housed as it was the first time they lived on their own and they were worried the perpetrator might find them.
A number of the participants had moved to Tameside from other local authority areas, some of which were outside of Greater Manchester. Those that then tried to be re-housed experienced more problems and delays.