Your message is important to us, we will be in touch shortly.
The Private Rented Sector (PRS) Project is funded by the Ministry of Housing Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) as a part of the Whole Housing Approach (WHA), which endeavours to improve the housing options and outcomes for people experiencing domestic abuse so that they can achieve stable housing, live safely and overcome the abuse and its harmful impacts.
The PRS Project is led by the Domestic Abuse Housing Alliance’s (DAHA) PRS Development Manager and supported by the DAHA and Whole Housing Approach Teams.
Individuals living in the PRS are just as likely to experience domestic abuse as those living in social housing. This project is the first of its kind to specifically develop the private rented sectors role in the Coordinated Community Response to domestic abuse and address the unique and significant barriers that PRS tenants face when seeking safe and stable housing at a time when they need it most. Some of these barriers include:
As a result, survivors often find their only option is to end their current tenancies with the perpetrator, become homeless, and then carry the financial penalties of starting again, including being solely responsible for rent, arrears, bills, legal fees and any damage caused to the property. We believe this is unacceptable and policy and practice needs to change so that survivors do not need to become homeless in order to achieve safety from the perpetrator.
However, when survivors are provided with real housing options, clear advice, and the support of informed landlords, letting agents and specialist domestic abuse practitioners, then they can make the right decision for themselves and their families about their safety and long-term housing needs.
The aim of the PRS project is to enable survivors living in the PRS to achieve safety and stable housing, including the viable option to remain in their privately rented home long term if it is their choice and safe to do so.
This framework is dependent on achieving five key objectives:
As a part of the Coordinated Community Response, the PRS projects focuses on supporting all community members and professionals that have a role to play in enabling individuals living in the PRS to achieve safety and stable housing. To this extent, we are focusing specifically on developing a framework of support for:
Below are links to guidance and resources for survivors, PRS letting agents and landlords, specialist domestic abuse practitioners and local authority housing teams.
Since the PRS project began in 2018, it has developed relationships with national and local housing and domestic abuse expert partners who have played a vital role in creating an effective and sustainable response to domestic abuse within the PRS. Some of these partners include
If you would like more information, please contact the Private Rented Sector Development Manager at DAHA and Standing Together. Email: daha_team@standingtogether.org.uk
Loading...