§ Earl Russellasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they are yet able to evaluate the effect of the 1996 Housing Act on the rehousing of women escaping domestic violence. [HL2324]
§ Lord WhittyThe Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions, in association with the Women's Unit and the Department of Health, have commissioned a comprehensive package of research on "Accommodation and Support for Households Experiencing Domestic Violence". This study will examine a range of women's experiences of the accommodation and support provided in response to their needs, including those women who are assisted under the homelessness legislation. In addition, the project will review how local housing authorities and other social landlords in England are using new powers provided under the 1996 Housing Act to seek possession where a spouse or cohabitee has left a property because of violence or threats of violence by their partner. The results of this study will be available in summer 2000.
The Economic and Social Research Council's Research Programme on Violence is funding a three-year research project on "The impact of changing housing policy on women's vulnerability to violence". The research is being undertaken by researchers at the University of Nottingham, and will review local housing authorities' policies and practices towards women applying as homeless as a result of domestic violence under the Housing Act 1996. Results will be available in autumn 2001.