Government announces a ‘change to the rules’ that will mean that those fleeing domestic abuse and facing homelessness as a result will be automatically considered in priority need

Change will be delivered though the Domestic Abuse Bill which had its second reading in Parliament last week, says Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government

The government has announced that it is making a 'change to the rules' that will mean that those fleeing domestic abuse and facing homelessness as a result will be automatically considered in priority need by their council for housing

In yesterday's Downing Street coronavirus press conference, Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government Robert Jenrick said -

'The Domestic Abuse Bill, which had its second reading in Parliament last week, is a landmark piece of legislation which will create the first ever legal definition of domestic abuse.

And this is important because it holds those responsible to account and gives those suffering at the hands of others more confidence that action will be taken and perpetrators brought to justice.

Today, I can confirm that through the Domestic Abuse Bill, the government will also be ensuring that victims of domestic violence get the ‘priority need’ status they need to access local housing services much more easily.'

NB - Mr Jenrick also announced that -

• Dame Louise Casey, who is already leading a review into rough sleeping and advising the government on ending it within this Parliament, has been appointed to lead a new taskforce that is being created to 'lead the next phase of the government’s support for rough sleepers during the COVID-19 pandemic'; and 
• as part of the £750m announced by the Chancellor last month for the charity sector, a £76 million package of support is being made available to 'ensure the most vulnerable in society get the support they need during the pandemic'.

For more information, see Mr Jenrick's speech from yesterday's Downing Street coronavirus press conference.