Homeless Women - Domestic Violence (FOI-3690)
Message from Hackney Council
Dear ***** *****
Re: Freedom of Information Request.
Thank you for your request for information under the Freedom of Information Act 2000. We would like to offer our sincere apologies for the delay in responding to your enquiry. Your request has been considered and our response is in bold below.
You requested the following:
Could you please provide me a copy of the following information?
1. Internal guidance on how to conduct vulnerability test for women making a homelessness application based on domestic violence (vulnerability due to DV);
2. Internal guidance on how to apply the Habitual Residence Test to EEA nationals/EEA family members who are fleeing domestic violence;
3. Questionnaire use to establish whether an EEA nationals/EEA family members who are fleeing domestic violence is a Habitual Resident.
Could you also please provide me the following information for the years 2017 and 2018?
1. The total number of women making homelessness application due to domestic violence;
2. The total number of women making homelessness application due to domestic violence who have been found ineligible to receive homelessness support given their immigration status;
3. The total number of women making homelessness application due to domestic violence who have not been considered priority need / failed in the vulnerability test.
The Council’s Response
1. Internal guidance on how to conduct vulnerability test for women making a homelessness application based on domestic violence (vulnerability due to DV);
Regarding questions 1-3:
The Service uses Jigsaw software to document information. This was updated by adding a suite of questions to assist our staff when interviewing customers who are fleeing due to domestic violence. This was done to provide guidance and ensure we capture valuable information.
However, the Service does not have any specific internal guidance or policy. Further information about Jigsaw is available via the following link: https://live.housingjigsaw.co.uk/
It is compulsory for all staff and new staff to attend Domestic Violence training; either provided by our training team or DAIS team.
The Council makes decisions in-line with the Homelessness Code of Guidance. Please refer to the following links:
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/homelessness-code-of-guidance-for-local-authorities/chapter-21-domestic-abuse
2. Internal guidance on how to apply the Habitual Residence Test to EEA nationals/EEA family members who are fleeing domestic violence;
Please refer to the link below.
3. Questionnaire use to establish whether an EEA nationals/EEA family members who are fleeing domestic violence is a Habitual Resident.
Please refer to the link below
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/homelessness-code-of-guidance-for-local-authorities
Could you also please provide me the following information for the years 2017 and 2018?
1. The total number of women making homelessness application due to domestic violence;
For 2017, accepted main homelessness duty for 75 cases where the applicant made a homeless application as they had lost their last settled accommodation due to domestic violence.
For homeless applications made in 2018/19, 205 applications were made were the applicant has stated that loss of their last settled accommodation was due to domestic violence.
2. The total number of women making homelessness application due to domestic violence who have been found ineligible to receive homelessness support given their immigration status;
It has not been possible to obtain this information for 2017. Prior to April 2018, the Service did not collect the level of data that is currently recorded in relation to negative decisions, there was no statutory requirement to do so.
For homeless applications made in 2018/19, 5 applicants were found to be ineligible due to their immigration status
3. The total number of women making homelessness application due to domestic violence who have not been considered priority need / failed in the vulnerability test.
It has not been possible to obtain this information for 2017, for the reason cited under question 2.
For homeless applications made in 2018/19, 6 applicants were found not to have a priority need
Appeals & Complaints Procedure
If you are dissatisfied with this response and wish to appeal, please write to the Information Management Team and this will be dealt with through our Internal Review procedure.
Information Management Team - Governance
London Borough of Hackney
Hackney Service Centre
1 Hillman Street
London E8 1DY
Your request for an internal review should be submitted to us within 40 working days of receipt by you of this response. Any such request received after this time will only be considered at the discretion of the Council.
If you are still not satisfied following the Internal Review, you have a right to appeal to the Information Commissioner at the contact details provided below.
Information Commissioner"s Office
Wycliffe House
Water Lane
Wilmslow
Cheshire
SK9 5AF
Telephone: 01625 545 700
Yours sincerely
Information Management Team
ICT Services
London Borough of Hackney
Page updated: 13/04/2021 14:51:44