How the Whole Housing Approach Helps Areas Deliver the Domestic Abuse Act 2021 'Safe Accommodation' Duty

Starting my new role has been exciting, challenging, and busy (just the way I like it), but I’ve spent some time over the weekend thinking about my previous job in Cheshire East. One of my responsibilities in that position was ensuring we delivered on the #DomesticAbuseAct2021 duty.

The new duty required a strategy to support survivors of domestic abuse in safe accommodation. I was fortunate to already be working with a long standing partnership board that was committed to prioritising the needs of victim/survivors including children and young people. As part of our early conversations about the new legislation one of the members of the board suggested exploring, or developing, a model to fulfil this duty, and it was during this search that we discovered the #WholeHousingApproach (WHA) Standing Together Against Domestic Abuse

The Whole Housing Approach (WHA) was first conceptualised in 2018 by the #DomesticAbuseHousingAlliance (DAHA) in collaboration with the National Housing and Domestic Abuse Policy and Practice Group. It is the first of its kind to consider all housing tenure types, and the range of options and initiatives needed to enable survivors to achieve stable housing. What made WHA particularly appealing was its flexibility, allowing us to tailor it to our local needs and priorities. This adaptability was really important, for example it enabled us to incorporate a trauma-informed response for young people with care experience, a priority we had identified before the legislation came into force.

'The Whole Housing Approach provides a holistic framework for delivering the Domestic Abuse Act duty'

Key aspects for us included:

Tailored Responses for Different Tenure Types: The WHA framework allowed us to address the unique needs of survivors living in various housing situations, from social housing to private rentals and owned homes. We were incredibly lucky to draw on the wealth of expertise available at the fabulous organisation Surviving Economic Abuse (SEA) to support us with improving options for people living in their own homes.

Overhauling the Sanctuary Scheme: We conducted a thorough review of our sanctuary scheme. This included evaluating the services provided by local registered providers, streamlining application processes for sanctuary measures, and improving the support that survivors received when they accessed safety planning tools such as ring doorbells.

Intersectional Approach: A significant aspect of the WHA was its emphasis on intersectionality. By collaborating with local "by and for" organisations and projects, we brought together experts to share knowledge, expertise, and resources. This network has been one of the most rewarding parts of our project, and was a significant step in ensuring more inclusive and effective support systems.

Investing in Relationships: One of the critical lessons I've learned is the importance of investing in relationships. Building strong partnerships with all relevant stakeholders, especially those previously not engaged in our work, has been incredibly important. Listening—truly listening—and taking on board what we hear, even when it's hard, is vital. Experts in domestic abuse are absolutely essential, but they are a part of the wider picture of support that survivors need. By investing in these relationships, we've been able to create a more comprehensive and effective #CoordinatedCommunityResponse.

Impact and Learnings

Not only have we seen an improved response to survivors' needs, particularly those from marginalised communities, but the financial benefits have also been significant. A cost-benefit analysis revealed that for every £1 spent on WHA, an area can expect a £19 saving. This fiscal efficiency is critical in times of stretched resources, allowing local authorities to reallocate funds to other essential services supporting survivors.

On a personal level, the journey has been an incredible learning experience. While there were inevitable bumps along the way, the overall outcome has been overwhelmingly positive. I am confident that our efforts have enhanced the support available to survivors and that, ultimately, is what we set out to achieve.

Looking Ahead

In my new role, I am really keen to share the insights and successes from Cheshire East, and other pilot sites, with other areas. The Whole Housing Approach has proven to be a viable and effective model for supporting survivors of domestic abuse. I am really excited to work with other areas on their journey to implement the WHA, improving housing options and support for all survivors as part of a Coordinated Community Response.