Policy background Local authority accommodation-based support
For the most high-risk victims of domestic abuse, refuges and other forms of safe accommodation provide vital support. In May 2019, the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government ("MHCLG") published a consultation paper seeking views on the Government’s proposals for a new approach to delivering support to victims of domestic abuse and their children in accommodation-based services. The consultation set out proposals to place a new duty on relevant local authorities in England to convene a local partnership board, assess need for domestic abuse accommodation support services, develop and publish strategies, decide what support services are required and commission these accordingly and report back to MHCLG. The consultation closed on 2 August 2019. MHCLG received over 400 responses which were supportive of the proposals. The Government’s response to the consultation was published on 14 October 2019. Part 4 of the Act gives effect to the proposals in the Government response to the consultation.