Local MP Mary Macleod has spoken out against a policy that pushes domestic violence victims down the waiting list for emergency accommodation.
Mary commented: “I think it is shocking that people living in abusive relationships are not a given higher priority by Hounslow Council. I have been approached by women who live in constant fear of violence and yet their need for accommodation is not treated with the urgency it deserves.”
Mary’s comments come a week after the Local Government Ombudsman criticised Hounslow Council for failing to give adequate support to a woman fleeing domestic violence.
Priority for those seeking emergency accommodation is based on which housing band they fall in. Hounslow Council presently has domestic violence victims in ‘Band C’ where the majority are never offered accommodation and the minority that are typically have to wait for several years, this contrasts greatly with ‘Band A’ where the waiting time can often take just months. Mary has urged the council to prioritise domestic violence victims as ‘Band A’, especially in cases where children are involved or where there is currently living in a temporary refuge.
“This is incredibly important as domestic violence is a major issue locally. We need to support those who have experienced this type of abuse and I have written to the Council to ask them to urgently review and change their housing band policy.”