Domestic Violence Victims Told To Register As Homeless To Be Rehoused

Barnet Council has been accused of trying to penalise domestic violence victims by forcing them to declare themselves homeless before they can be rehoused. Under the new housing allocation scheme, which is currently under public consultation, victims of domestic violence would have to apply to the council as homeless in order to be rehoused in temporary accommodation. Council chiefs say this will help those fleeing violence to be rehoused immediately. However, housing experts and domestic violence charities have argued the system will unfairly penalise those trying to escape violence by removing their priority status on the housing waiting list and reduce the likelihood of them being placed back in council accommodation. Read more on the Barnet Today website.