HC Deb 30 April 2001 vol 367 cc463-4W
Ms Moran

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list measures he has taken to tackle domestic violence since 1 May 1997. [159420]

Mr. Robert Ainsworth

Since May 1997 my Department has put in place the following initiatives/ measures to help women who are fleeing from domestic violence, and who in many cases are threatened with homelessness as a result.

Supporting People

This new programme, to be implemented from April 2003, provides housing-related support services for vulnerable people, including survivors of domestic violence. The framework document "policy into practice" (January 2001), sets out how services will be planned and delivered. We are appointing two specialist co-ordinators and publishing further guidance to help local Supporting People partnerships develop their strategies for addressing domestic violence within the Supporting People programme.

The Safer Communities Supported Housing Fund (SCSHF)

This provides £120 million of capital and £17 million of revenue funding over three years, to be administered by the Housing Corporation (match-funding to be provided by local authorities) for housing and support services for a range of people, including women and children fleeing domestic violence.

Grant Aid to Women's Aid Federation of England

Since 1997 we have continued to support Women's Aid Federation of England through the Department's special grants programme, to develop a range of projects addressing the needs of survivors of domestic violence.

Extending the Priority need categories of homeless people

We will shortly be consulting on a proposal to extend the categories of people who have a priority need for accommodation under the homelessness legislation to include applicants who are vulnerable as a result of fleeing domestic violence or other violence.

Interdepartmental initiatives

My Department has contributed to the following interdepartmental initiatives and publications:

  • Break the Chain
  • Multi-agency guidance for addressing domestic violence
  • Relation ship Breakdown, a Guide for social landlords.