The points listed in this appendix are drawn from the different chapters in this book, so they are not comprehensive. More detailed guidance and information is available from the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister, Home Office and Shelter.

The local authority

Homelessness

• • Homeless decisions in relation to people leaving domestic violence should be made sympathetically. The ‘intentionality’ and ‘local connection’ provisions in the legislation should not be relevant in these circumstances. The new Code of Guidance (ODPM, 2002b) should be the guideline.

• • A domestic violence policy would be useful, giving staff guidance about what to consider in assessing applications from homeless and other applicants. It should include information about the role of other agencies including housing associations. It needs to be backed up with sufficient resources, regular training and consistent management.

• • The local authority needs to ensure that a range of safe temporary accommodation is available to meet the variety of needs of homeless applicants in this situation. For example, homeless families should not have to deal with the extra trauma of their children of different ages having to live separately because there is no suitable emergency accommodation for them all to stay together.

• • A range of temporary and permanent accommodation needs to be available for women who have serious mental health problems because of the impact of violence on them. Support services need to be aligned to assist them in the search for alternative accommodation and to help them settle permanently.

The ‘strategic’ role

• • The local authority's ‘strategic’ role should be developed to give greater emphasis to the nature of housing management services provided by all social housing landlords in the area. The local authority should take the lead, whether or not it is the main housing provider. ‘Good practice’ in relation to responding to homelessness and domestic violence should be expected and promoted by the local authority.

• • Nominations should be made of statutory and non-statutory homeless applicants who have left domestic violence. Rehousing by housing associations should be effectively monitored to ensure that applicants with different backgrounds and from different circumstances are assisted. Monitoring needs to be able to identify the type and quality of property offered, its location, and whether it is accepted or refused (with the reasons for this). Monitoring like this will help ensure fairness.