Should domestic abuse be a housing management issue? Rebecca Jackson reports on her research into the role of social landlords
AS A THIRD YEAR housing policy and practice student I undertook a two-year work placement with a South Wales- based housing association. I was part
of the community safety team and had specifically been supporting tenants who were victims of domestic abuse. The dedication of the association and other agencies to support victims and tackle abuse was inspiring. However, there were numerous challenges and three community safety managers from various housing associations across Gwent. Interviews were also undertaken with three non- housing professionals from various organisations across Gwent, hurdles to overcome. My experience and desire to see victims of domestic abuse receive the best possible support prompted me to focus my third-year dissertation study on the issue.
As many professionals working in the public and third sector will know, the Welsh Government is currently planning to implement two new policies – ‘legislation to end violence against women, domestic abuse and sexual violence’ and the Housing Bill, both of which support landlords’ engagement with multi-agency initiatives. These will have significant implications for housing associations and will demand a much higher level of participation than is currently required. In order to evaluate the impact these changes could have on associations it was necessary to evaluate the existing role they play in tackling domestic abuse, and discover whether they are equipped and willing to meet the demands and expectations of Welsh Government, other agencies and victims.
I based the study in Gwent as domestic abuse is high on the agenda for Gwent police and they have recently introduced a new initiative to tackle it that involves active participation from local social landlords. The Daily Domestic Abuse Conference Call (DACC) takes place every morning; multiple agencies including social services, women’s aid and housing attend the call where all cases of domestic abuse which have been reported in the previous 24 hours are discussed. Risks are identified and assessed and safety plans agreed. The aim of the DACC is to facilitate early intervention and prevent incidents of abuse from escalating.
The research involved interviews with including a domestic violence officer from Gwent police force, an independent sexual violence advisor in Gwent and a domestic abuse coordinator from a local authority in Gwent. A Welsh Government spokesperson was also interviewed.
Rent arrears
The study found that the response from associations was inconsistent and varied between organisations. Not all attended the DACC and most which didn’t cited a lack of resources as a barrier. However, there also seemed to be an inability to see a connection between domestic abuse and housing management issues, which led to the issue of domestic abuse being seen as within the remit of police and social services rather than as an issue for landlords. However, one of the organisations revealed that through the DACC it had been able to conduct research with tenants who were victims of domestic abuse. Its findings suggest that tenants who were victims were four times more likely than the general population of tenants to have rent arrears to a significant level and were also more likely to have been reported for anti-social behavior. These factors could obviously place them at a greater risk of losing their tenancy and becoming homeless.
The study also found that those housing associations that were involved and engaged with the DACC had a better understanding of domestic abuse and its impact on tenants and communities. This resulted in them responding in a more appropriate and effective manner. The increased awareness of domestic abuse also allowed them to see the value of the DACC and the importance of information sharing and how this supported them in improving their approach. Even those landlords who didn’t engage recognised the benefits and value of the DACC. However, their inability to link domestic abuse with housing management issues resulted in them prioritising other issues such as anti-social behaviour.
The participants from other agencies explained the value of having the support and cooperation of landlords. They all agreed that it had a positive impact upon their own practice and resulted in a more holistic and effective response. Each interviewee agreed that the outcomes for victims and their children were improved by having housing involved in the process and committed to tackling domestic abuse.
The ethos that housing management reaches far beyond bricks and mortar and includes people and communities underpins all associations’ values and practice. There is no better way to demonstrate their commitment to support tenants and create sustainable, healthy communities than to proactively tackle domestic abuse. With the Government taking an active stance against domestic abuse, and other agencies recognising the importance of housing’s involvement, now is the ideal time for landlords to realise their own value and potential in supporting victims and their children.
Rebecca Jackson conducted her research as part of a BSc housing policy and practice degree at Cardiff Metropolitan University. She aims to pursue a career in housing