Blog

We were proud to see Emma Cashin, DAHA’s Regional Lead for the South West & Central, speak at Havant Borough Council’s White Ribbon Day event on 25 November 2025. White Ribbon Day is a national call to end violence against women and girls, and we are grateful to the Council’s HR & Safeguarding team for organising an event that reinforces this essential commitment.

Emma will be delivering an introduction to Standing Together Against Domestic Abuse and the Domestic Abuse Housing Alliance (DAHA), highlighting the crucial role housing providers play in a coordinated community response to domestic abuse and how DAHA supports organisations through our framework, accreditation pathway, strategic leadership and best-practice guidance.

About Emma

Emma found her passion for domestic abuse work during her undergraduate degree in Criminology, going on to complete an MSc focused on female offenders affected by domestic abuse. She has worked extensively as an Independent Domestic & Sexual Violence Advisor (IDSVA) across diverse settings, including A&E and local authority housing. With experience supporting survivors, working with perpetrators, and delivering specialist training - including DA Matters for the police and DASH Train the Trainer - Emma brings wide-ranging frontline and strategic expertise to her role. As a DAHA Regional Lead, she works directly with housing providers to strengthen their response to domestic abuse and embed long-term cultural change.

Emma’s contribution to the event reflected the depth of knowledge and leadership our DAHA Regional Leads bring to partners across the UK.

We thank Havant Borough Council for the thoughtful organisation of this event and for their continued dedication to improving the local response to domestic abuse. Collaborative efforts like this are vital to creating safer communities for all.

At the recent online Adult Safeguarding Conference 2025, Nicki Clarke, Head of Housing & Criminal Justice at Standing Together Against Domestic Abuse (STADA), delivered a vital presentation titled “Domestic Abuse & Economic Abuse: Signs & Strategies For Intervention.”

The session provided critical insights for anyone involved in adult safeguarding, emphasising that domestic abuse is a pervasive issue that must be considered in every case. As Nicki, who brings both professional expertise and a survivor’s perspective, stated: “For me it is essential that DA is understood and considered by all staff working with safeguarding responsibilities as it is such a common form of abuse.”

The Stark Reality Within Adult Safeguarding

Nicki grounded her talk in stark facts that frame the scale of the challenge for safeguarding professionals:

*   An estimated 2.3 million people experience domestic abuse each year.

*   Disabled women are twice as likely to experience abuse than non-disabled women.

*   98,945 victims aged 60 or over experienced domestic abuse in 22/23, often at the hands of adult family members.

She stressed the importance of not making assumptions, especially with older adults: “As practitioners we should not assume that a couple simply have a ‘traditional’ marriage.” Abuse can be a long-standing pattern, and many older people may not even recognise what is happening to them as abuse.

Early Intervention: A Matter of Life and Death

A key message was the critical need for early intervention. Nicki shared shocking figures that highlight the extreme risks:

*   Every 3 days, a woman is killed as a result of domestic abuse.

*   Every 4 days, a woman takes her own life due to domestic abuse.

“What better reason do we need to identify abuse early,” she asked. She warned that coercive control is the most significant high-risk marker for serious harm and potential homicide, even without physical violence. Crucially, she advised that “any attempt to leave the relationship must be planned and carefully managed, with the support of a specialist DA service,” as separation is a period of highest risk.

The Pervasive Grip of Economic Abuse

Nicki dedicated a significant portion of her talk to economic abuse, which affects 95% of domestic abuse survivors. She clearly defined it as not just controlling finances, but also essential resources like housing, food, transport, and employment.

“One in nine women have been stopped from accessing items such as food, shampoo, or medication – equivalent to almost 3 million people,” she noted, with 8 in 10 women suffering mental health issues as a result. For safeguarding teams, understanding this facet of abuse is essential to seeing the full picture of a person’s situation, which can continue long after a relationship ends as post-separation abuse.

The Strategy: A Coordinated Community Response

The core strategy Nicki presented was the need for a Coordinated Community Response. “No single agency has the whole picture,” she asserted. “Together we are stronger is possibly an overused saying, but in respect of the Coordinated Community Response your safeguarding response can only be strong when you work with partner agencies.”

She directly addressed a common barrier, stating, “GDPR is not a reason for us not to do this; it allows information sharing where it is required to safeguard an individual.” This collaborative approach is fundamental to effectively identifying signs and implementing intervention strategies.

Nicki Clarke’s talk, which received overwhelmingly positive feedback for its clarity and impact, was a powerful reminder for the safeguarding community. It underscored that recognising the signs of domestic and economic abuse - and knowing how to respond strategically - is a non-negotiable part of keeping adults safe. By working together, sharing information, and prioritising this issue, we can create a safer environment for all.

We are incredibly proud to share that our amazing colleague, Demi Harrington, Senior Regional Lead for the Domestic Abuse Housing Alliance (DAHA), will be speaking at the Tackling ASB Conference on 30th September 2025. Find out more, and join the conference here: Tackling Anti-Social Behaviour Digital Conference Westminster Insight

Demi’s session, “Tackling ASB through a Domestic Abuse Lens,” will provide crucial insights into the critical overlap between anti-social behaviour and domestic abuse, equipping housing professionals with the knowledge to strengthen their response and better support survivors.

Drawing on her extensive expertise, Demi will cover several key areas, including:

The Relevance of Domestic Abuse in ASB

- Domestic abuse victim/survivors are four times more likely to have an ASB complaint made about them.
- Experiencing domestic abuse in early childhood will typically present issues during adolescent years.
- The strongest predictor of behavioural issues is a climate of violence, chaos, and disruption in the home.

Understanding the Overlap: DA & ASB

Demi will clarify the distinction and connection between cases that meet the statutory definition of domestic abuse and those that do not, highlighting how issues like noise nuisance, police callouts, and damage can be indicators of underlying abuse.

A Powerful Case for Early Intervention

The presentation will include the tragic case of Claire and Luke, where neighbour complaints about arguing and noise over a two-year period preceded a fatal outcome, underscoring the life-saving importance of early and accurate identification.

Strengthening Support for Survivors

Demi will outline essential strategies for housing providers, focusing on:

- Early and accurate identification: Housing is in a unique, life-saving position to identify behaviours and risk early. This involves training around DA awareness and building DA risk screening questions into ASB assessments.
- Trauma-informed practice: Shifting the perspective from enforcement to support by recognising how trauma impacts behaviour, communication, and trust.
- Multi-agency working: Emphasising that it is everyone's responsibility and that powerful change comes through working together within a coordinated community response.
- Survivor Voice and Policies: Ensuring the survivor's experience is central to all actions.

This session is a vital opportunity for anyone in housing, community safety, or support services to deepen their understanding of how a domestic abuse lens can transform their approach to ASB, ultimately creating safer communities for all.

Please join us in celebrating Demi’s important contribution to this national conversation. For further resources and information, please visit the DAHA website.

Useful Resources & Contacts

- Domestic Abuse Housing Alliance: Daha_team@standingtogether.org.uk | www.dahalliance.org.uk
- Whole Housing Approach: Wha_team@standingtogether.org.uk | www.dahalliance.org.uk/innovations-in-practice/whole-housing-approach/
- Standing Together Against Domestic Abuse: www.standingtogether.org.uk

At the Domestic Abuse Housing Alliance (DAHA), we know that a safe home is the foundation for a survivor’s recovery. This core belief was the driving force behind our impactful presence at the inaugural Housing Community Summit in Liverpool this September.

The summit, a powerful collaboration between the National Housing Federation (NHF) and the Chartered Institute of Housing (CIH), brought together housing professionals, residents, and stakeholders to shape the future of housing. For the DAHA team, it was an unmissable opportunity to connect, collaborate, and champion the vital role housing plays in tackling domestic abuse.

The enthusiasm and commitment from professionals across the sector to better support survivors was both palpable and inspiring. It reinforces why our work, supporting our alliance of over 150 housing providers and local authorities through accreditation, training, and policy influence - is so critical.

Grasping the Nettle: A Standout Session on Perpetrator Pathways

A clear highlight of the summit was the powerful session led by our own Nicki Clarke, Head of Housing at Standing Together Against Domestic Abuse, alongside Dr. Kelly Henderson of Addressing Domestic Abuse.

Titled “Grasping the nettle and dealing with the cause of the problem: creating a domestic abuse perpetrator housing response,” the talk sparked an incredible conversation and received an overwhelmingly positive response. The session tackled a complex but essential shift in thinking: moving beyond solely focusing on moving survivors to actively addressing the source of the harm through perpetrator strategies.

The evidence from places like Cheshire East, presented by Nicki, was nothing short of transformative. Their Whole Housing Approach pilot demonstrates the profound impact of a coordinated response:

• 98% of domestic abuse survivors were prevented from becoming homeless.
• A 400% increase in perpetrators being rehoused, moving the focus away from displacing the victim.
• An 867% increase in perpetrators removed from the home each year.

As one Cheshire East staff member noted, this required a fundamental culture shift: “Perpetrator pathways were new, so those changes that were made within the Housing Options Teams, for them to be curious about asking people about harmful behaviours and for there to be a pathway from them into services for support, that was new.”

This data proves what we at DAHA champion: that a strategic housing response is not only a moral imperative but a highly effective one. For every £1 invested in the Whole Housing Approach, an average of £10.20 was saved - a compelling case for its adoption nationwide. The full report from Cheshire East will be launched on 15th October, further evidencing the value of housing-led perpetrator strategies.

The Social Housing Sector Needs a National Managed Reciprocal Scheme

Nicki’s second session, “Helping To Reduce Homelessness – A National Managed Reciprocal Scheme,” further underscored how innovative, collaborative housing solutions are key to protecting survivors and holding perpetrators to account. She was joined by Lisa Clarke (Regional Housing Lead – South, Clarion Housing), Leyla Phillips (Whole Housing Approach Coordinator, Southampton City Council), and Katee Swallow (Domestic Abuse Specialist, Moat), who each brought vital insights from their work on the ground.

Driven by Standing Together Against Domestic Abuse and Clarion Housing, talks are underway with housing partners to form a National Managed Reciprocal Scheme. This scheme will create secure housing solutions for survivors who need to move to safety while retaining their tenancy security.

A reciprocal scheme prevents re-victimisation, reduces the burden on homelessness services, and ensures survivors are not penalised by losing their tenancy. It also aligns with the Domestic Abuse Act recommendations and provides a supportive framework for both survivors and landlords.

Some of the many benefits of a reciprocal scheme include:

• Prevents re-victimisation through the loss of a social tenancy.
• Reduces the burden on homelessness departments.
• Follows the Domestic Abuse Act recommendations of no downgrading of tenancy security.
• Increases re-housing options for survivors with more geographical options.
• Helps to end the support disparity or postcode lottery.

If your organisation is interested in joining the scheme, please contact Lisa.Clarke@clarionhg.com or n.clarke@standingtogether.org.uk. More information will also be shared in a webinar on 6th October 2025.

Building the Community that Builds Safety

Beyond the sessions, the summit was a hub for connection. It was a privilege to exhibit in the incredible Art Gallery and meet so many dedicated professionals at our stand.

We were honoured to be visited by the wonderful Dame Nicole Jacobs, the Domestic Abuse Commissioner for England and Wales, whose endorsement of the DAHA accreditation standards continues to be a driving force for change across the sector. It was also fantastic to catch up with and be inspired by incredible leaders like Dr. Kelly Henderson, CEO of Addressing Domestic Abuse, whose partnership in advancing perpetrator pathways is pivotal.

Reflecting on the event, Nicki Clarke shared:

“It has been great to be at the #HousingCommunitySummit this week, talking to housing professionals about how they can help survivors living in their homes. The enthusiasm and commitment from professionals to tackle this issue and help survivors always inspires me and it has been a pleasure to meet and talk with so many of you.”

This sentiment is at the heart of what DAHA does. Conferences like this are not just about speaking; they are about listening, learning, and strengthening the community of practice that enables us to protect victim-survivors more effectively. They are where we turn policy into practice and partnerships into power.

Our thanks go to the Chartered Institute of Housing and the National Housing Federation for their brilliant organisation of the summit, and to our partner Dr. Kelly Henderson for her leadership and collaboration on this agenda.

If you’re a housing provider looking to grasp the nettle and transform your response to domestic abuse, join the DAHA alliance and explore our accreditation standards. Together, we can make the housing sector a place of safety, accountability, and hope.

#HousingCommunitySummit #DAHA #DomesticAbuse #Housing #PerpetratorPathways #WholeHousingApproach #NationalReciprocalScheme

By Philomena Azu – Domestic Abuse Housing Specialist, Islington Council

When I think about the roots of my journey, I return to a vivid memory: walking down Chiswick High Road as a young girl, passing a house filled with women and children. Laughter and conversation flowed from the steps, kids played hopscotch, women gathered in community. At the time, I didn’t know I was witnessing one of the UK’s earliest refuges. I only knew it felt like a place of strength. Years later, I would come to understand what that house represented, and how profoundly it would shape my path.

Fast forward to years of working in hostels, homelessness services, and eventually taking on roles in domestic abuse support. My journey into the VAWG sector began during a personal transition, pregnant and newly redundant, and I found myself asking, "What next?" I knew I wanted to understand more about how women arrived at refuges, what kind of support they needed, and how compassion could be woven into the most vulnerable moments of someone’s life.

That curiosity took me to Hestia, where I started as a refuge worker. I met women who had fled with nothing but courage. I saw firsthand how domestic abuse presents, not just in physical injuries, but in shattered confidence, threatened motherhood, coercion disguised as love. The role allowed me to listen, to hold space, and to help women begin the slow, steady work of recovery.

From the refuge, I stepped into the community as an IDVA. I became the voice of survivors at MARAC tables, navigating cases that demanded collaboration and relentless advocacy. Housing, I quickly learned, was not just shelter. It was recovery, safety, stability. It was a second chance.

Eventually, that road led me to Standing Together Against Domestic Abuse, where I served as DAHA Development Manager. Travelling across the country, I facilitated masterclasses with housing providers, Cardiff, Corby, Norwich, Manchester, and helped build the capacity of housing teams to become not just responders, but champions. Because housing professionals are so often the first to notice something isn’t right. They hold the key to early intervention - but only if they’re equipped to recognise the signs.

After two years of national work, I returned to local authority life at Islington Council. Tasked with leading the borough toward DAHA Accreditation and overseeing a new Intensive Housing team, I was handed a powerful brief: reform, rebuild, and centre domestic abuse in all that we do. That meant training hundreds of frontline staff, building a Champions Network, creating policy rooted in lived experience, and, most importantly, listening.

I didn’t have a team yet, but I had a vision. The Champions became my village. We challenged victim-blaming narratives, created safe spaces, designed badges that symbolised solidarity and trust. We built a movement from the ground up.

Even during the pandemic, when the work went online, we adapted. I’m so grateful to the directors at the time, particularly Jo Murphy and Helena Stephenson, who championed our efforts and embedded trauma-informed, survivor-led training across departments. Together, we built new policies, rebranded processes like "management transfers" to "high-risk moves," and implemented bespoke bite-sized training to reach caretakers, repairs operatives and contractors—all of whom are essential to spotting abuse.

Through our work with partners like Solace and grassroots agencies, we created videos, toolkits, and policy reforms to make our housing response more inclusive, trauma-informed and anti-racist. We introduced intersectionality audits, commissioned specialist training, and ensured that staff understood the importance of cultural competence, language accessibility, and anti-discriminatory practice.

To survivors in our community: Islington Council housing stands ready to support you. We will listen. We will believe you. We have trained staff across every level of the organisation, all equipped to respond with compassion, safety and understanding. Whether you wish to stay or move, our commitment is to walk alongside you every step of the way.

To housing providers across the UK: DAHA accreditation is not a badge. It’s a blueprint. And the power of this work lies in partnership. Our journey has taught us that it’s only through collaboration, across agencies, with survivors, and among peers, that transformation becomes possible. To become truly survivor-centred, we must be community-led.

If we want to end the cycle of abuse, we must begin with where people live. And with the right training, the right values, and the right partnerships, we can build housing systems that don’t just house survivors, they help them heal.

Let DAHA be the catalyst. Let collaboration be the transformation.

About Philomena Azu

Philomena Azu is a leading specialist in domestic abuse and housing, with over a decade of experience across frontline, strategic, and leadership roles. As the Domestic Violence and Abuse Lead at Islington Council (2019–2025), she played a key role in achieving DAHA Accreditation, re-accreditation, and ultimately Platinum status for the borough.

A former MARAC Coordinator with Standing Together and DAHA Development Manager, Philomena has delivered national masterclasses, supported housing providers through accreditation, and co-developed tools to embed survivor-centred, trauma-informed practices across services.

Her career began with Hestia as a Refuge Worker and IDVA, and she has also held support roles with St Mungo’s, working with women facing multiple disadvantage. Today, she is a respected voice in the sector and continues to drive systemic change through compassionate leadership and collaboration.

By Ian Swift, Director of Housing Operations and Deputy Corporate Director, Islington Council

At Islington Council, our approach to domestic abuse is more than policy—it’s personal, purposeful, and grounded in the needs of our residents. The DAHA (Domestic Abuse Housing Alliance) Platinum Accreditation is not just a badge of excellence for us—it’s a transformative commitment to embed national best practice into every level of housing services.

Domestic abuse is the second highest reason people approach Islington as homeless. In a borough impacted by the cost of living and housing crises, this reality demanded a bold and embedded approach. From first contact to securing stable accommodation, our goal is clear: every survivor must be met with a platinum standard of care.

For me, this work is deeply personal. I grew up in a household affected by domestic abuse. My mum suffered through it most days of the week. I know first-hand the trauma, the silence, and the resilience it takes to survive. That’s why our services are trauma-informed, holistic, and rooted in empathy—we must walk in the shoes of our residents.

The DAHA journey has helped us do just that. Four years ago, when I joined, our response to domestic abuse needed urgent reform. Since then, our partnership with Standing Together Against Domestic Abuse has transformed everything: the culture, the systems, the outcomes. Now, survivors come to us without shame. They are met with support, dignity, and real pathways to safety.

We’ve embedded over 100 Domestic Abuse Champions across all housing services—empowering our 834 staff to support residents with compassion and clarity. We’ve also strengthened links with community organisations, faith groups, and LGBTQ+ residents, recognising that domestic abuse affects people in all relationships and communities.

The impact is tangible. We now have the largest number of domestic abuse presentations in London—not because violence has increased, but because people trust us enough to ask for help.

This accreditation sits proudly alongside our City of Sanctuary and Stonewall Housing accreditations. Together, they reflect a borough committed to being a safe, inclusive place for everyone.

But we are not finished. This is not the end—it’s the beginning of the beginning. We must continue to change how councils serve their communities. We must challenge postcode lotteries, where access to safety depends on where you live. And we must push every local authority and housing association to match this standard.

To others in the sector: reach out. Learn from our model. Work with DAHA and Standing Together. We are ready to support and share, because if Islington—with limited housing stock and some of the highest housing costs in the UK—can do it, any borough can.

We owe it to survivors. We owe it to our communities. And we owe it to the belief that housing can be a platform for healing, not harm.

Embedding DAHA in Nottinghamshire’s Frontline

By Christie Conroy,

DAHA Accreditation Coordinator, Nottinghamshire Women's Aid Ltd

Christie, a specialist with over 30 years of experience in domestic abuse and safeguarding, has dedicated her career to creating safer communities and embedding systemic change. Beginning her journey working with children and families in schools and family centres, she quickly recognised that domestic abuse was a common—yet often unacknowledged—thread running through her work.

“I started my career working with children and young people in schools and family centres. Back then—over 30 years ago—domestic abuse was present, but rarely addressed. The services we now have simply didn’t exist.”

Her passion for working directly with survivors led to her first role in a refuge supporting children and young people, and for the past 20 years she has remained part of a team that is a driving force in the sector, managing refuge services and developing innovative partnerships to improve outcomes.

Today, Christie who works for Nottinghamshire Women’s Aid ltd leads on the implementation of the Domestic Abuse Housing Alliance (DAHA) frame work across North Nottinghamshire covering Mansfield, Bassetlaw, Newark and Sherwood districts. This role is commissioned independently by the County and funded by district councils through the Domestic Abuse Act, her role is unique: she is not council-employed but is fully embedded as a specialist partnership role, enabling an impartial and highly strategic approach.

“From the start, my brief was clear—this wasn’t going to be a tick-box exercise. DAHA must be more than an accreditation. It needs to be embedded into culture, language, and frontline practice so that supporting survivors becomes instinctive across every team.”

Creating Culture Change, Not Just Compliance

Starting in Mansfield, Christie undertook a full gaps analysis, meeting with every council team, from senior leadership and elected members to frontline refuse collectors. Through staff surveys, service reviews, and listening exercises, she identified strengths, gaps, and opportunities to embed a whole-council approach to domestic abuse.

Recognising that domestic abuse impacts all departments—not just housing—Christie developed bespoke training for every role. From repairs teams to environmental health, customer services to councillors, she delivered tailored sessions that resonated with each audience.

Over 8 months, Christie delivered full-day face-to-face training for every council employee with public-facing roles. Topics included DA awareness, risk assessment, MARAC, stalking, trauma, modern slavery, and safeguarding children. She also designed half-day sessions for staff with shorter contact time, such as maintenance teams, and developed system changes to ensure reporting pathways were clear, safe, and survivor-centred.

Systems Change and Policy Reform

“It’s really important that managers have an eye on what’s happening—not out of distrust, but because you don’t want to find out about domestic abuse after a homicide or complaint. So in partnership with the districts we implemented policy, procedure and structure to ensure case audits were carried out every four weeks.”

Christie reviewed over 100 council policies, from sickness and disciplinary to licensing and code of conduct, to ensure domestic abuse wasn’t being missed in HR decisions or front-line engagement. She embedded support-focused prompts like "Is there anything happening at home impacting your work?" into everyday staff conversations.

She also delivered training to private landlords and estate agents, linking domestic abuse awareness to their legal responsibilities and property safety.

Discussions focused on their best interest and survivor safety. “If a perpetrator tampers with a smoke alarm and starts a fire, will your insurance cover that? Are you checking exits and bathrooms? “

A practical guidance document was shared across the sector, reinforcing boundaries and offering simple signposting tools. Christie encouraged all attendees to use the specialist services by signposting and referring rather than seeing themselves as a domestic abuse professional.

Visibility and Operational Impact

Both strategic and operational groups were established - the latter composed of safeguarding champions and staff across departments. These teams reviewed real-life cases, welcomed guest speakers (including male survivor services and modern slavery experts), and built in learning from domestic homicide reviews (DHRs). Safeguarding and DA became a standing agenda on all team meeting agendas

She mapped every customer contact point—phone, online, social media, in-person—and embedded DA prompts throughout. For example, social media auto-responses now direct users to DA support. Rent arrears conversations now include prompts about financial control. The Council website, forms, and Homefinder portal now feature DA support options.

A new staff intranet safeguarding folder centralises training, policies, DASH tools, and safety plans.

“If you’re a public service, it should not be hard for someone to approach you. It should be easy. It’s our responsibility to meet the needs of the public—not the other way around.”

Whole-Council Ownership

Christie worked across teams to unify case management communications, promote direct calls, and bring services out of silos. She designed cross-team flow charts to show how and when to share concerns. Guest speakers now regularly attend team meetings to encourage ongoing partnership and accountability.

From screensavers to email signatures, posters to QR codes on vans and bins, DA visibility became part of daily working life. Staff uniforms were branded "Domestic Abuse Aware." Mansfield was the pilot, achieving DAHA accreditation in just 14 months, followed by Bassetlaw. Christie is now supporting Newark & Sherwood through the DAHA process.

“Yes, we’re working toward accreditation. But it’s not just about meeting criteria. It’s about saving lives. Making the council visible and accessible. Communities shouldn’t have to fit us—we should fit them.”

A Message to Survivors

“I want you to see you… your strength, your power, your beauty and your wisdom. I want you to feel able to spread your wings and breathe your freedom in… to live your life by your rules.

Domestic abuse makes you feel isolated, trapped, hidden away from the world. This is the perpetrator’s story—their pantomime. It is not your story.

You are not alone. We see you. We hear you. We believe you.

There are people out there who want to help you re-write your story and realise your potential. One foot in front of the other—that’s all it takes. You’ve lived through the worst. The rest of your life is still yours to shape.”

Learn More About DAHA

To find out how your organisation can work toward DAHA accreditation or embed a whole-council domestic abuse strategy:

🔗 DAHA Accreditation for Homelessness and Supported Housing
🔗Domestic Abuse Housing Alliance (DAHA)

Addressing Domestic Abuse in the Housing Crisis

Sharon Crosby, Senior Regional Lead at the Domestic Abuse Housing Alliance (DAHA), recently attended and spoke at The Supporting Vulnerable Tenants Conference 2025. With over seven years of dedicated work at DAHA and a wealth of experience across housing, domestic abuse, and community partnerships, Sharon brings an invaluable perspective to the challenges faced by vulnerable tenants.

The following reflection, written by Sharon herself, draws on her deep knowledge of the sector and highlights why it is so important to centre survivor voices, specialist services, and coordinated responses in housing solutions.

Recently I had the privilege of speaking at The Supporting Vulnerable Tenants Conference 2025 organised by Government Events, where experts including Connie Cullen (Shelter), Bethan Lant (Praxis), Nick Connolly (EveryYouth), and Sem Moema (London Assembly) explored systemic housing issues, homelessness, substance misuse, and the growing demand for social housing. The event focused on case studies, collaboration, and best practices to shape forward-looking, equitable housing strategies.

I spoke on behalf of Standing Together Against Domestic Abuse, where we pioneered the UK’s Coordinated Community Response (CCR) to support one of the most vulnerable tenant groups: those experiencing domestic abuse. Domestic abuse remains a leading cause of women’s homelessness, yet 50% of those in temporary accommodation are unable to move into secure housing—blocking access for others in urgent need.

Survivors face intersecting barriers including lack of suitable housing, language issues, insecure immigration status, and experiences like honour-based abuse. By and for services—those led by and for the communities they support—are critical to overcoming these barriers. In a Domestic Abuse Commissioner survey, 67% of Black and minoritised survivors, 61% of LGBTQ+ survivors, and 55% of disabled survivors wanted specialist by and for support. Those who accessed it felt significantly safer and more in control.

We know a truly effective CCR must also be intersectional. That’s why Standing Together partnered with the Asian Women’s Resource Centre, supported by the Esmée Fairbairn Foundation, to develop the Coaction Hub—a model for equitable partnership working. Though the hub funding has ended, the learning remains publicly accessible at AWRC’s Knowledge Hub.

We also remain active through our Communities Team and Harmful Practices Partnership, recognising that many survivors turn first to community or faith groups. Faith, too often misunderstood in professional responses, can be a source of strength when survivors receive culturally informed, faith-affirming support. Resources from the Faith and VAWG Coalition help bridge this gap: faithandvawg.org.

“So many of our survivors come from communities of faith, and yet too few services are equipped to meet them there. By and for services are not optional — they are life-saving,” I shared during the session.

In housing, survivors’ vulnerabilities may manifest as substance use or mental health issues—often rooted in abuse—yet DA can remain hidden unless professionals are trained to recognise it. That’s why we launched a new Homelessness and Supported Accommodation Accreditation, developed with pilot organisations to better reflect the needs of supported housing providers. More info: DAHA Accreditation – Supported Housing.

“We need to stop asking survivors to mould themselves to systems not built for them. Instead, we must build systems around the realities of survivors’ lives.”

So, in conclusion, to address housing challenges for vulnerable groups, we know we need more affordable homes and stronger regulation. But there are also innovative, immediate solutions available. We can provide trauma-informed, holistic support by asking tenants about their needs, sharing information across agencies, and tailoring safety plans through a coordinated response. Making existing homes safer for those who want to stay, holding perpetrators accountable, and working with ‘by and for’ partners to empower survivors with real choices—these are things we can do now, even in a housing crisis.

At Standing Together, our ambition is that all survivors—regardless of housing type—receive the right support at the right time. Explore our housing work:

• Whole Housing Approach: standingtogether.org.uk/housing-whole-housing
• DAHA Accreditation: standingtogether.org.uk/housingdaha
• Housing First: standingtogether.org.uk/housing-first-1

Please do contact us to learn more about our work.

Sharon Crosby
Senior Regional Lead
Domestic Abuse Housing Alliance (DAHA)

About Sharon
Sharon Crosby is a Senior Regional Lead at the Domestic Abuse Housing Alliance (DAHA), hosted by Standing Together Against Domestic Abuse. She has extensive experience working across housing, community, and specialist domestic abuse services, and is a passionate advocate for intersectional and trauma-informed responses. Sharon leads on national work to improve housing’s response to domestic abuse through accreditation, innovation, and sector partnerships.

Havebury Housing Partnership has just passed their DAHA accreditation in August 2024. Below is the feedback and review of DAHA accreditation from Havebury Housing Partnership team.

We are thrilled to announce that we have successfully achieved accreditation with the Domestic Abuse Housing Alliance (DAHA). This is a significant milestone for us and a testament to our commitment to providing safe and effective responses to domestic abuse.

Stockport Homes Group (SHG) has just passed their DAHA accreditation in June 2024. Below is the feedback and review of DAHA accreditation from SHG team.

Having just finally crossed the line and achieved our initial DAHA accreditation at Stockport Homes Group (SHG), I thought it might be useful to share some of our experiences and what we found worked (and didn’t work!). 

Firstly, if it is something you are considering, then I would recommend taking the plunge and committing to the process.  It has, without doubt, led to significant improvements in the service we provide, enhanced partnership working and helped develop a more person-centred approach across SHG.  However, it does require buy in from across the organisation and is far from a box ticking exercise; it needs time and focus. 

What struck me from the start is that the DAHA Team don’t expect you to be perfect and prefer honest self-reflection and insight into the positives and challenges of your service.  For SHG that meant thinking about what we wanted to achieve in relation to domestic abuse; operationally, strategically and in our cultural approach.  The eight different DAHA themes and criteria within them forming the basis of a gap analysis, with input from both DAHA and specialist domestic abuse services in the Borough.  The next step was to look at a SMART action plan to deliver the required changes. 

Perhaps the next biggest lesson was that even the most amazing of action plans don’t deliver themselves, and ‘drift’ is possible when people are so busy with their day jobs.  It needs a senior lead to make sure actions are met, resources prioritised and ensure accountability.  Again, it’s also worth noting that the DAHA Team are there to provide support rather than catch you out, have a great deal of knowledge and are fun and engaging to work with. 

During the early stages of preparing for accreditation it seemed clear that our structures could be improved, primarily by bringing together a bespoke domestic abuse team.  That involved making two housing options officers domestic abuse specialists, alongside an existing dedicated colleague within the Safer Neighbourhoods Team.  With a focus on enhanced training and development, co-located with specialist services several days a week and using the same database, that has led to a more joined up and upskilled level of service to customers.  They are also able to act as a point of expertise to colleagues throughout SHG, including attending team meetings, customer events and providing guidance and support to colleagues who may be experiencing difficulties of their own. 

Policies and procedures also required a full overhaul, with partner agencies, customers, and colleagues across SHG engaged in their review.  That included input from staff LGBTQ+, ethnic minority and disability groups, reflecting the need to take an intersectional approach, with the experience of domestic abuse varying widely dependant upon other factors such as ethnicity, gender, and sexuality.  The need for a person-centred approach is a theme that ran throughout achieving the accreditation, leading to reflection about other areas of service delivery. 

While SHG has always had a strong focus on safeguarding, domestic abuse was largely seen as a sub-set of staff development and training in that area.  To establish it more prominently as an issue, a large-scale training programme was initiated that was delivered to 200 staff over a 12-month period.  Developed in collaboration with domestic abuse services, this used a mixture of theory, practical application, and the use of powerful individual stories to give staff the confidence and skills to better address the issue.  Shorter, ‘toolbox’ talks were also undertaken for repair operatives and other staff, with a specialist organisation also commissioned to upskill colleagues on how to work with perpetrators. 

The training enabled some in depth and lively discissions about the nature of domestic abuse, the role of housing providers and embedded cultural perspectives.  For example. historic housing outlooks have at times been geared around expecting people to move to different areas when experiencing domestic abuse, rather than being led by people’s wishes and making safety plans around their present and future.   

In many respects the more work we did, the more we realised how much more we could or should be doing.  The assessment process recognises that there is always scope for learning and continuous improvement, with initial accreditation just recognising that you have made a purposeful and impactful start on that journey.  An important art of the assessment is developing a sustainability plan, identifying steps in the short to medium term to build on progress. 

The accreditation itself involves file checks, case studies, interviews with staff up to Chief Executive Officer level, focus groups and one to one meetings with partner agencies and effectively anything else that catches DAHA’s eye along the way.  Engaging as many people and agencies as possible, building new relationships and developing existing ones is a vital part of the DAHA process and recognises that domestic abuse can only be effectively addressed through a partnership approach. 

So, in summary, SHG have found DAHA accreditation to be challenging, enjoyable, hard work, stimulating and engaging; but most importantly has led to a more accessible, knowledgeable, empathetic, person centred service for customers.  It has strengthened the wider partnership approach towards tackling domestic abuse at an operational and strategic level and helped reinforce a positive organisational culture. 

A great deal still be done, and DAHA will be keeping a beady eye on us to make sure the pace doesn’t slacken! 

This blog post was published in July 2024.

The Guardian article of 28 August “English councils moving homeless families out of areas at almost three times official rate” makes for uncomfortable reading: “Data shows more than 34,000 households placed out of area last year, with some moved more than 200 miles away”.

In an effort to address the homelessness crisis, local authorities often find themselves under pressure to secure temporary accommodations for homeless families. The practice of relocating families far from their communities raises serious ethical and practical concerns. This approach, often referred to as "out-of-area placement," can have devastating consequences for families already in vulnerable situations.

• Strained Support Systems: Moving families to unfamiliar areas disrupts their access to local support networks, such as friends, family, schools, and healthcare facilities. This isolation can lead to increased feelings of loneliness and anxiety, making it even harder for families to regain stability.
• Education Disruptions: For families with school-aged children, being uprooted to a different part of the country can result in abrupt changes in schools. This disruption not only affects a child's educational continuity but also their emotional well-being, as they struggle to adjust to new environments and peers.
• Employment Challenges: Adults in these displaced families may find it difficult to maintain their jobs if the move places them far from their workplaces. This setback can perpetuate the cycle of poverty and make it harder for families to transition out of homelessness.
• Mental and Emotional Strain: Homelessness is already emotionally taxing, and being moved far from familiar surroundings can exacerbate mental health issues for both parents and children. Feelings of instability and a lack of control can take a heavy toll on their well-being.
• Loss of Dignity: For families forced to leave their communities, the loss of dignity is profound. The practice can strip them of their sense of belonging, leaving them feeling like they are burdens rather than valued citizens.
• Strain on services: little consideration is ever, it seems, given to the impact on local services & resources that moving a family or person with additional needs or multiple disadvantage to an area could have. Often the “forced” move would not include the local authority connecting or linking the family or individual to relevant services so they often “disappear” through the cracks until they reach crisis point and come to (often statutory) services’ attention when needs are higher than ever.

The Guardian article refers to research from Nottingham University where Dr Steve Iafrati, an assistant professor of social policy at the University says “These are people who have got no money, who have experienced domestic abuse, who have come out of prison, or who have mental health problems. They are then moved sometimes hundreds of miles away from their families, from social networks, from their mental health practitioners and from their children’s school – and the vast majority have children.” The research tells us that black and minority ethnic families were most affected by the practice. Of the councils moving more than 100 families out of their areas, more than 90% confirmed that black and minority ethnic families were disproportionately involved.

We know these families are the most vulnerable in our society. Many will be women with their children fleeing domestic abuse. Reading this article reminds me of a case seen during a Domestic Abuse Housing Alliance (DAHA) accreditation assessment.   I will summarise as best I can without identifying the family or the council. A woman for whom English was not her first language, and her children presented as homeless fleeing domestic abuse, no longer feeling safe in their own home. Duty accepted; the family are placed in temporary accommodation where they were expected to share facilities with a male resident. Feeling unsafe here they returned home whilst the application was processed. One child in school, one with complex medical needs, and under a local children’s hospital receiving care. Children's Social Care supports the family.  All contact is conducted through an interpreter. The decision was to offer the family a tenancy (privately rented) in a large city over 100 miles away. Offer made in a (standard, generic) 3-page letter written in English. Notes tell us that she “refused the offer”. No further notes.   

To achieve accreditation, DAHA requires that organisations adopt a coordinated community response (CCR) to domestic abuse which places the responsibility to achieve safety on agencies and not on the victim/survivor. It is also centred on holding the perpetrator of abuse to account.  DAHA requires organisations to demonstrate a person-centred and adopt a trauma-informed approach to responding to domestic abuse.  Challenging the provider on how this case demonstrated any of these, they explained that it was going to be impossible for this woman to afford to remain living in this area independently and so, for her there was no option other than to move to an area where she had a better chance of maintaining a tenancy. Wrong, but I get it, it’s the reality of our current housing crisis in the UK – some areas are simply unaffordable for many.

So, faced with the barrier that affordability presents, how could they have met the requirements to demonstrate a CCR and to be person-centred and trauma-informed? The answer feels quite simple, show some empathy and work collaboratively.  

When asked what this means I ask people to close their eyes and put themselves into the shoes of this woman: In a country she may not have chosen freely to live in, coercively controlled, physically, and economically abused. Never travelled outside of this city. Caring for a child with severe and complex health issues – the stress and worry possibly (probably) borne by her alone. Limited (or no) social network – possibly just through connections met through the child’s school, and/or medical care system. Welcome support from a social worker, trust just building. Grappling with a new language, able to grasp some, speak some, read some but complex legal situations needing explanation in own language. Living in fear for herself and, worse, for her children’s safety. Grabbing the first opportunity to leave her abuser – the courage of that (mind-blowing for me).

Now open our eyes and consider how we manage the situation which would not necessarily change the fact that the only place we can find her to live is a long way away. Bring her professional support network together with her, meeting in a neutral environment and, through an interpreter, discuss the options and how you are all going to work with her and colleagues in corresponding services in the “new” area to help her settle and build a safe home and a new life free of abuse for her and the children. It is ESSENTIAL that relevant specialist by and for services are engaged in both areas, offering her the right, culturally sensitive, domestic abuse support that she needs.  She will still, I have no doubt, be wary and fearful of such a move, and possibly feel it’s very unfair that she has to move at all (it is), BUT she may feel more able to take that leap with the support and kindness of her professionals' network. Empathy and kindness cost nothing and can make all the difference for someone presenting as homeless, seeking help and some compassion.

Conclusion

I conclude with some potential solutions to the displacement dilemma.

1. Prevention Over Relocation: Rather than focusing solely on relocating families, authorities should invest in preventive measures to stop homelessness from happening in the first place. This might include more accessible social services, affordable housing initiatives, and financial support for at-risk families. For victims/survivors fleeing domestic abuse, there should ALWAYS be the choice: “Would you like to stay in your own home if we can make it safe for you to do so?” This would then trigger action by the local authorities to work in collaboration with all other agencies within the CCR to hold the perpetrator to account, remove them, manage them, disrupt them, and prosecute them – working together to enable the home to be a safe place for the victim/survivor (including the children) to remain if that is what they want to do. Choice, choice, choice.
2. Local Support Focus: Local authorities should prioritise efforts to find temporary accommodations within the same area whenever possible. This approach would allow families to maintain their connections and support systems.
3. Collaborative Solutions: Local authorities, should collaborate with other agencies including Social Care, Health, police, specialist services including by and for services, etc. to develop comprehensive strategies to address homelessness and all causes of homelessness. These strategies should be rooted in empathy and understanding of the challenges homeless families face.
4. Impact Assessment: Before relocating families, authorities should conduct thorough impact assessments to understand the potential consequences of such a move. This will help them make more informed decisions that prioritize the well-being of the families involved.
5. Trauma-Informed Approach: When moves are unavoidable, local authorities should adopt a trauma-informed approach. This involves recognising the potential emotional and psychological impact of relocation and providing appropriate support to help families cope with the changes.
6. More social housing. DAHA and Standing Together fully support Shelter’s call on the government to build social housing.

“Data released.. revealed that 34,418 households were placed out of area last year, based on responses from 80% of English councils. This incomplete figure suggests a total that is 172% above what was officially recorded the previous year.”

The practice of moving homeless families to different parts of the country by UK local authorities is a deeply flawed approach that magnifies the challenges faced by these vulnerable individuals. Straining support systems, disrupting education and employment, and exacerbating mental and emotional strain are just a few of the consequences that families endure. By adopting a more compassionate and holistic approach, local authorities can work towards not only providing safe accommodation but also helping families rebuild their lives with dignity and stability. Homelessness is a complex issue that demands comprehensive and empathetic solutions to ensure a brighter, safer, and successful future for those in most need. I am pretty certain that not every one of the 34,418 cases of households being moved out of area was not for affordability reasons. When Dr Iafrati tells us in the Guardian article that his research highlighted that “Of the councils moving more than 100 families out of their areas, more than 90% confirmed that black and minority ethnic families were disproportionately involved” we must consider that racism is a factor in decision making.

We can, and have to, do better.

Judith Vickress, Senior Housing Manager, Standing Together Against Domestic Abuse (STADA) and outgoing Domestic Abuse Housing Alliance (DAHA) Programme Manager

To enquire about DAHA Membership and accreditation please contact daha_membership@standingtogether.org.uk and see here https://www.dahalliance.org.uk/ for more information. We provide a comprehensive support service to guarantee success for all members.

This blog post is published in August 2023.

Paul is a Tenancy Sustainment Coordinator at Calico Homes who achieved DAHA accreditation in February this year. Based in Burnley, Paul has been in his role since May 2017 and before that was one of Calico's Neighbourhood Coordinators. When he's not working Paul enjoys spending time with his 7-year-old daughter and playing football.

I was first approached by our Assistant Director of Customer Services to lead on the process of gaining DAHA accreditation in January 2019. As a Tenancy Sustainment Coordinator I had managed my own local team but not a team from across the Calico Group so it was an exciting opportunity to lead on this important work.

Calico’s position as a group structure provided us with some fantastic opportunities to develop an innovative approach. We saw the potential to work collaboratively across the group drawing our own domestic abuse services, a training company (AFTA Thought), mental health and drugs recovery programme experts (Acorn Academy), along with our communications team, HR and learning and development who were all represented on the DAHA steering group.

It was apparent at the first project meeting how passionate everyone was about raising domestic abuse awareness not only within Calico but also to influence wider societal change. The sharing of knowledge and sense of team spirit from across the group brought a real positivity and impetus to drive this project forward.  Although the accreditation was specifically aimed at housing, as an organisation we wanted to go one step further and roll out domestic abuse training to the whole Calico Group.

For the training programme we decided to use AFTA Thought Training Consultants who bring the ‘lived experience’ into a room using actors. Using applied theatre in facilitation of the training was unique – it drew on our policies and procedures and ensured people had a clear understanding of their individual roles and responsibilities in being confident to report concerns of domestic abuse.

I knew that Calico could play an important role in influencing society and we set about inviting other leads from our partner agencies to attend the training. This resulted in AFTA Thought being invited to design and deliver domestic abuse training across Burnley Borough Council and Lancashire Care Trust.

Calico had already introduced ideas such as Safe Leave and a perpetrator programme, and we worked collaboratively to ensure these initiatives were shared among our audiences in the hope they would go back and review their own individual policies.

We also recognised the possibility that as well as tenants and service users, there could be victims and perpetrators among our staff who needed to access help and support. We wanted to be able to encourage them to feel safe enough to come forward and access the help and support Calico have on offer. As a result of this we developed a Domestic Abuse Ambassadors programme and asked for volunteers from across the group – the response was very positive and to date we have 20 trained Ambassadors.

After we gained DAHA accreditation in February 2020 it was important to us to keep the momentum going. We used the collective learning and wisdom from the accreditation process to motivate and inspire other community organisations across Lancashire. This resulted in a number of initiatives including ‘Men Speak Out’ – a conference organised by the Calico Group’s domestic abuse service Safenet to encourage men to speak out against domestic abuse.

Calico will continue the ripple effect in promoting and championing our work around domestic abuse. We want to build on the learning we acquired during the DAHA accreditation process in order to strengthen our understanding and positively impact the lives of victims, survivors and perpetrators of domestic abuse.

This blog post is published in October 2020.

David is the Head of Housing at Cambridge City Council who, in December 2019, became the fifth local authority in the UK to achieve DAHA accreditation.

When we set out on our path to Domestic Abuse Housing Alliance (DAHA) accreditation back in May 2018 I remember realising fairly early on that I had underestimated the energy and commitment officers in my teams and beyond would apply to this area of work. It was clear that there was a pent up desire to tackle domestic abuse head on and the ‘DAHA thing’ presented officers with an opportunity to make a difference on an issue they were clearly passionate about.

As we fastidiously worked our way through the 8 key areas demanded by the process, ticking each milestone off one-by-one, we suddenly hit our first major challenge: in relation to domestic abuse, did we or did we not have a believing and non-judgemental culture within our Housing Advice (Housing Options) Service? This is big; we average about 3 homeless applications a fortnight from customers experiencing domestic abuse.

At the same time, this was a learning process for our DAHA colleagues. Given that the alliance was born in the housing association sector and the accreditation process had historically focused on organisations’ housing management functions, they had to quickly get up to speed with housing options, advice and statutory homelessness functions.

Anyway, coming back to the believing culture, the issues that emerged, through a number of case audits, were about language used and where we might place the burden of ‘proof’. Like a number of authorities, Cambridge experiences a surfeit of demand over supply for social/affordable housing and the private rental market is in the upper quartile of unaffordability across the country. Coupled with this, we have a responsibility to apply homelessness legislation fairly and equitably. Inevitably, this leads to an investigative culture amongst the workforce.

We have addressed the issues that have arisen by implementing the following:

• Creating a survivor-led focus within our homeless applications process - pre-accreditation, a homeless application would be focused on determining whether the accommodation was purely ‘reasonable and available’. However it is now much more focussed on risk and options for the survivor and we now have a bespoke personal housing plan (PHP) for domestic abuse victims/survivors.
• Extensive domestic abuse training has enabled staff to better understand and identify the full range of abusive practices (particularly around coercive control) and, most critically, what impact this has on the individual and her/his family members

All our housing advisers and officers now aim to complete a DASH for every applicant (we have completed 46 in the last 12 months) or tenant we believe to be experiencing domestic abuse. On occasions, this has enabled officers to assure our customer that what they are experiencing is abuse, when previously they had not considered it as such. A positive by-product of completing a DASH is that asking applicants to evidence abuse via crime reference numbers, for example, no longer seems so important.

We have made huge strides in working with our partners at the Independent Domestic Abuse Alliance (IDVA) service and Cambridge Women’s Aid in particular. I am under no illusions that we will continue to disagree on occasions but our partnerships in this sphere seem much more collaborative now and we are receiving customer feedback assistance from both partners.

As part of my research for this blog I spoke with 3 front line housing advisers and a senior housing adviser, who acts as our domestic abuse champion for the Housing Advice Service. One, in particular, was indignant that the ‘believing culture’ should ever be questioned. What she and others have acknowledged, though, is that all of the accreditation work has created a stronger platform to enable our officers to ‘believe’ and I think this is the critical point; the measures we have put in place take us ‘beyond belief’. I don’t think the desire to believe was ever in question.

Aside from the measures cited above, advisers pointed to the importance of extending appointments to 1 hour and 45 minutes so that they can invest time in assessing customers who have experienced domestic abuse and that the assessment is not just concerning homelessness but is a safety and safeguarding assessment too. As a result, the number of homeless applications taken has risen significantly since advisers have been completing DASHs; from 44 in 2018 to 76 in 2019.

This blog post is published in July 2020.

Housing providers are a central piece of the puzzle for addressing domestic abuse as a route into homelessness. Kelly explains: “If you’re a housing provider, you should do all you can to support a tenant to either stay in the home (when it is safe to do so), or provide them with a move to a different property in another area, but on the same tenancy type, as well as supporting them to move into safe emergency accommodation and again, ensuring they keep their tenancy status on being re-housed.”

Establishing patterns of abuse with co-ordinated case management is another provision for supporting tenants experiencing domestic abuse. Easy access to evidence of abuse can make the difference that emboldens housing providers to intervene. 

Streetwise, a system developed by Gentoo in partnership with Housing Partners, is there to start the work of joining up the dots and keeping records that can be used to evidence why intervention needs to be taken. Every survivor of domestic abuse has different needs; Streetwise offers a chronological record of incidents, enabling housing officers to create a tailored approach to support.

The system comes as two modules; one relating to antisocial behaviour (ASB) and the other to domestic abuse. Kelly takes us through the ways in which a domestic abuse case management system can prevent further abuse that can lead to homelessness:

“Having a domestic abuse module or system as opposed to just an ASB one that incorporates domestic abuse, means quite often the case actually being seen as Category 1. The value with Streetwise is that you’ve got a full history of a person’s case. In terms of Streetwise and MARAC (Multi Agency Risk Assessment Conference), where you’ve got a range of partners round the table to safety plan for the victim, it really is essential to ensure you’ve got a comprehensive set of notes and a victim’s full history to make sure that they get the best response. That means that you can then give a much more in-depth response.

At Gentoo, we’ve also got the Risk Indicator Checklist (RIC) built into Streetwise meaning that we can see at a glance that person’s level of risk. It is worth pointing out that risk is not static, and the RIC should be completed after every new incidence of abuse. This gives a chronological order – everything’s there – and we get a true picture of what’s actually happening.”

With five women dying per week and the public’s attention being refocused on what can largely be a hidden crime, the urgency to intervene and prevent further trauma is making its way to the front of the agenda. Housing providers have a unique relationship with their tenants that can be used to establish themselves as a trusted source of help to their customers.

Nurturing these relationships, paying attention and having strong and accurate records of incidents will lead to a fuller picture of the abuse that exists in homes up and down the country and could ultimately be the cornerstone for addressing this particular pathway to homelessness.

Housing partners produce a series of platforms to support frontline teams. If you want to know more about Streetwise, or any of their solutions, you  can email them on info@housingpartners.co.uk and they will have someone get back in contact with you.

This blog post is published in July 2020.

The Domestic Abuse Housing Alliance (DAHA) recognises that LGBTQ+ people across the UK face heightened levels of housing insecurity, discrimination and systemic inequality. These harms do not exist in isolation; they emerge at the intersection of identity, structural bias and the persistent lack of intersectional responses across housing, homelessness and domestic abuse systems. 

LGBTQ+ housing insecurity is not anecdotal – it is evidenced, measurable and persistent. Research from Crisis and Stonewall shows that almost one in five LGBTQ+ people in the UK have experienced homelessness at some point in their lives. Government evidence further confirms that LGBTQ+ people are disproportionately represented among those experiencing homelessness, with 16%–32% of people accessing homelessness services identifying as LGBTQ+. Among young people, the risks are even more severe: AKT’s national survey reports that 20% of LGBTQ+ young people experienced hidden homelessness in the past year, and 33% of trans young people surveyed had experienced hidden homelessness. Research also shows that LGBTQ+ individuals face significant discrimination from landlords and additional barriers to securing safe, stable housing in both the private and social rented sectors. 

Domestic abuse compounds these risks even further. Across the UK, domestic abuse affects significant numbers of LGBTQ+ people: studies show that 25% of lesbian and bisexual women, 40% of gay and bisexual men, and 28% of trans people have experienced domestic abuse. Research also highlights that 73% of trans survivors report transphobic emotional abuse from a partner or ex-partner. These figures demonstrate that domestic abuse within LGBTQ+ communities is often deeply entwined with identity-based violence - placing survivors at heightened risk of homelessness, isolation, and further harm within systems not designed with their experiences in mind. 

These figures reveal a system that does not recognise the realities faced by LGBTQ+ people, especially those who are trans, non-binary, young, disabled, older, migrants or from racialised communities. For many, experiences of homelessness and domestic abuse intersect with identity-based violence: coercive control involving threats of “outing”, abuse from family members, rejection from informal support networks, and housing pathways shaped by heteronormative and cisnormative assumptions. Without an intersectional lens, LGBTQ+ people remain unseen, underserved and at elevated risk of harm. 

DAHA believes that safe, inclusive, and affirming housing pathways must be the baseline standard, not the exception. Our accreditation frameworks embed trauma-informed and intersectional principles, requiring housing providers to develop policies and practice that meet the needs of LGBTQ+ residents and survivors with dignity, confidence and cultural competence. This includes creating safe disclosure routes, reviewing policy for LGBTQ+ inclusivity, strengthening staff training, working with specialist LGBTQ+ organisations, and using sensitive data to illuminate - rather than obscure - where inequalities persist. 

As Nikki Clarke, Head of Service – Housing & Criminal Justice at Standing Together, states: 

“DAHA’s commitment is simple: every survivor deserves safety, dignity and belonging. That means every housing provider must be equipped to respond to LGBTQ+ people with confidence, respect and care – not as an afterthought, but as a core part of their responsibility.” 

Our Housing team works collaboratively with leading LGBTQ+ organisations and statutory agencies across the UK to strengthen housing and safeguarding responses. We recognise and value the essential work of The Outside Project, the UK’s first LGBTIQ+ shelter, refuge and community centre; Galop, the national service supporting LGBTQ+ survivors of domestic abuse, hate crime and sexual violence; and AKT, who lead vital work supporting LGBTQ+ young people experiencing homelessness. 

We also align our practice development and policy advocacy with statutory bodies including the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) and the Mayor’s Office for Policing and Crime (MOPAC). Their evidence and strategic insights strengthen our shared mission to ensure LGBTQ+ people are not left invisible within housing, safeguarding or criminal justice systems. 

Together, this network of specialist partners and statutory agencies forms a crucial part of the national infrastructure needed to deliver safer, more inclusive housing pathways for LGBTQ+ residents and survivors. 

Intersectionality must underpin this work. Many LGBTQ+ people experiencing housing insecurity are also navigating racism, disability, poverty, long-term health conditions, or surviving domestic abuse. When services fail to account for these overlapping inequalities, LGBTQ+ people are left to navigate fragmented housing systems alone - raising the risk of homelessness, exploitation and harm. DAHA continues to champion the Whole Housing Approach and the Coordinated Community Response (CCR), ensuring that LGBTQ+ survivors are supported by a joined-up system rather than siloed interventions. 

To shift housing systems from exclusion to inclusion, DAHA recommends: 

1. Embed LGBTQ+-inclusive domestic abuse practice

Ensure all staff receive training on LGBTQ+ identities, experiences of abuse and intersectional risk, enabling survivors to disclose safely and receive appropriate support. 

2. Guarantee safe, choice-led housing pathways

LGBTQ+ survivors must be able to remain safely in their home where appropriate or relocate without discrimination or assumptions. 

3. Collect inclusive data safely and sensitively

Ethical collection of sexual orientation and gender identity data enables providers to identify inequalities, challenge bias and design responsive services. 

4. Partner with specialist organisations

Collaboration strengthens visibility, improves pathways and ensures practice is grounded in lived experience. 

5. Challenge discrimination and bias within housing systems

Policies, procedures and culture must be reviewed to eliminate heteronormative and cisnormative assumptions. 

6. Embed whole-system, coordinated responses

LGBTQ+ survivors benefit most when housing, domestic abuse services, safeguarding, health and justice agencies work together as part of a consistent, survivor-centred system. 

Housing insecurity among LGBTQ+ people is not simply a housing issue - it is a question of equality, dignity and safety. When housing systems fail to recognise sexual orientation and gender identity as core factors influencing vulnerability, LGBTQ+ people are too often left without safe homes, without support, and without visibility in policy or practice. 

DAHA stands firmly with the LGBTQ+ community. We remain committed to working alongside housing providers, specialist organisations and national partners to build a system where housing is not a barrier to safety - but a foundation for belonging, security and justice for all. 

(Sources for referencing) 

Homelessness & Housing 

• Crisis & Stonewall joint research (2021) – 18–20% LGBTQ+ homelessness 

• MHCLG & UK Govt equalities data – 16–32% LGBTQ+ in homelessness services 

• AKT LGBTQ+ Youth Homelessness Report (2021) – 20% hidden homelessness; 33% of trans young people 

The Hourglass Safer Ageing Summit 2025 — the charity’s largest and most influential conference to date — brought together over 200 leaders, policymakers, academics and frontline practitioners committed to improving the safety, dignity and visibility of older people across the UK. 

Keynote contributions from Alex Davies-Jones MP (Minister for Victims and Tackling VAWG), Jess Phillips MP (Minister for Safeguarding), Kaukab Stewart MSP (Minister for Equalities), and Dame Nicole Jacobs (Domestic Abuse Commissioner) delivered a powerful shared message: abuse of older people can no longer remain unseen or unprioritised. 

Our team member, Nika Noakes, spoke on the panel Housing, Ageism and Abuse: Tackling Hidden Harm in Our Communities, alongside an exceptional line-up of experts. Her contribution received overwhelmingly positive feedback from delegates across housing, health, justice and the voluntary sector. 

The panel opened with key statistics: 

• 2.7 million people aged 65+ have been affected by abuse in the UK (Hourglass, 2024) 

• Older people in the most deprived areas experience the highest loneliness rates — 11% (Community Life Survey, 2024) 

• Disabled adults report chronic loneliness at five times the rate of non-disabled adults (Community Life Survey, 2024) 

• Loneliness is strongly linked to vulnerability to abuse (Campaign to End Loneliness) 

These figures underscore a stark reality: older people are not protected by age — age can heighten the risk of harm. And housing is often the environment where that harm is both experienced and hidden. 

Housing as a Safeguarding System 

Older people often encounter systems that: 

• underestimate their risk, 

• misinterpret or normalise signs of harm, 

• overlook housing instability, 

• assume safety due to age, 

• or provide inaccessible support pathways. 

A key message shared widely across the Summit was: 

“Housing is not just a roof - it’s a frontline safeguarding space.” 

Housing providers are often the professionals with the most regular contact with older residents. With the right training and frameworks, they become crucial in preventing, identifying and responding to abuse. 

DAHA’s National Role 

The panel explored the work of the Domestic Abuse Housing Alliance (DAHA), which supports over 160 housing providers and local authorities to embed trauma-informed, intersectional domestic abuse practice. 

DAHA Accreditation focuses on eight core areas, including leadership, risk management, survivor voice, partnership working, data-sharing and frontline response. Delegates strongly engaged with the work of the DAHA Policy & Practice Group, which brings together more than 90 organisations to influence national standards and champion housing as a core safeguarding partner. 

Whole Housing Approach and Whole Systems Response 

An important theme in the discussion was the role of the Whole Housing Approach (WHA) — ensuring every part of the housing system, from allocations to repairs to homelessness, contributes to identifying and responding to domestic abuse. 

WHA aligns directly with DAHA’s Coordinated Community Response (CCR) principles: placing survivors at the centre, joining up systems that are often fragmented, and ensuring no agency is working in isolation. Delegates recognised WHA as a true Whole Systems Response, where housing, health, social care and justice partners work collectively to reduce harm, increase safety and improve outcomes for older people. 

Housing Insecurity and Later-Life Risk 

The panel also examined how housing insecurity compounds risk for older survivors facing: 

• financial hardship, 

• insecure tenancies, 

• poor housing conditions, 

• loss of independent living support, 

• temporary or supported accommodation. 

These conditions increase dependence, reduce autonomy and limit help-seeking opportunities. This connects closely to DAHA’s Homelessness & Supported Accommodation Accreditation, which ensures older people in temporary or supported settings do not fall through safeguarding gaps. 

Loneliness, Isolation and Risk 

Loneliness is one of the strongest predictors of harm in later life. When older people experience bereavement, reduced mobility or declining health, perpetrators often exploit increased reliance and isolation. 

Nika summarised this clearly: 

“Connection is protection. When housing reduces isolation, it reduces risk.” 

Housing professionals frequently notice subtle signs: withdrawal from community spaces, restricted access to keys or finances, increased control by an adult child, or sudden changes in behaviour — small indicators that often precede crisis. 

A recurring theme across the Summit was the need for much closer alignment between: 

• housing 

• adult social care 

• health 

• policing 

• probation 

• voluntary sector providers 

Older survivors are too frequently passed between disconnected systems, each assuming another service will act. The message was clear: housing must be recognised as a core safeguarding partner at every stage. 

Delegates described this year’s Summit as one of the most powerful Hourglass has delivered, with the housing, ageism and abuse panel standing out for its clarity, compassion and practical direction. 

There was a shared commitment across the room: 
older people deserve safety, dignity, visibility and justice — now, not in 2050. 

Sincere thanks were extended to Hourglass for hosting such a timely and compelling event, and for their continuing leadership on safer ageing across the UK. 

The work continues through: 

• DAHA Accreditation 

• Homelessness & Supported Accommodation Accreditation 

• stronger housing-led safeguarding pathways 

• improved multi-agency integration 

• intersectional, age-inclusive policy development 

• survivor-led approaches across all services 

A final message from the panel captured the spirit of the day: 

“Ageism makes older survivors invisible — housing makes them visible again.”