Local charity The Haven Wolverhampton is appealing for support from Private Sector Landlords to help single women affected by domestic violence access Private Rented Sector (PRS) accommodation.

The Haven Wolverhampton, which provides refuge and community support services to women and children affected by domestic violence, has found that the number of women referring as ‘single’, i.e. women without dependent children, has significantly increased over the last three years. In 2011 single women made up 43% of referrals to The Haven and it is anticipated that this number will continue to rise.

More and more single women are turning to refuge services like The Haven as they find it increasingly difficult to access social housing. Single women without children are not classified as priority under statutory homeless legislation and as a result are left on waiting lists for long periods of time to access accommodation. Lengthy wait times can often lead to women returning to unsafe environments including returning to the abusive homes from which they came. Others rely on friends and many end up ‘sofa surfing’ before returning to refuge when arrangements fall through. This leads to a cycle of recurring homelessness. As more single women are waiting longer to access accommodation this can lead to ‘bed blocking’ in refuge, meaning bed spaces cannot be accessed by families in need.

In March 2012 The Haven learnt that it was successful in its application to ‘Crisis’ to receive funding to develop a scheme that will support single homeless women to access accommodation in the PRS. The Haven will work to support these women with our own Rent Deposit Bond Scheme as well as provide access to a Resettlement Support Programme of training which will teach women how to maintain a tenancy and impart independent living skills.

The main focus of the project is to encourage private sector landlords to engage with The Haven Wolverhampton, with a view to supporting single women into safe accommodation, whether this be shared accommodation or single unit flats. Landlords will be assured that all potential tenants will have accessed the Resettlement Support Programme and that The Haven will continue to support these women to sustain their tenancy.

If you are a landlord and are interested in becoming part of this social venture please contact Karan Douglas on 01902 572035 or resettlement@havenrefuge.org.uk for more information.

For more information contact Grace Lee on 01902 572173 or e-mail gracel@havenrefuge.org.uk

The Haven Wolverhampton is a registered charity – number 1065427
The Haven Wolverhampton aims to provide support to women and dependent children who are vulnerable to domestic violence, homelessness and abuse
For more information on The Haven Wolverhampton on www.havenrefuge.org.uk