Asked
Communities and Local Government, if he will update the Homelessness Code of Guidance to ensure that domestic abuse survivors who have joint mortgages with abusers are not refused the main housing duty because they are homeowners.
Reply
The Homelessness Code of Guidance sets out that where there would be a probability of abuse if an applicant continued to occupy their present accommodation, the housing authority must treat the applicant as homeless and should not expect them to remain in, or return to, the accommodation. This includes survivors who are homeowners.