Safer London project wins London Homelessness Award!
The Pan-London Housing Reciprocal, an innovative partnership between local authorities and housing associations, has been announced as one of the three winners of the prestigious 2018 London Homelessness Awards. Established and coordinated by Safer London, the project helps people at risk of violence to retain secure housing in London, away from the abuse they have experienced. The team will find out if they have won the top prize of £30,000 at a special event in October.
The scheme, funded by MOPAC, was set up to support people experiencing domestic abuse and other forms of violence to move out of the borough where they are at risk and not lose their social tenancy.
Melanie (not her real name) recently used the Pan-London Housing Reciprocal to move away from her abusive partner and keep her social housing tenancy. Once she knew she no longer had to return to the borough she was at risk in, she felt able to support a police investigation and give evidence in court against the perpetrator. She said: “I finally feel I can put this horrific ordeal behind me and make a bright, fresh new start with my life. I believe this scheme will be very helpful for others who need to move from where they are, whatever their situation may be.”
Lauren, a project coordinator for the Pan-London Housing Reciprocal, said “We have managed to secure the agreement of 32 local authorities and 43 housing associations to support tenants experiencing domestic abuse, other forms of violence against women and girls, gang-related violence, hate crime or other abuse. This allows resettlement to an area where tenants are safe and means they can keep a social tenancy. Findings from our research indicated that a scheme like this was needed; women in London were being penalised for fleeing abuse. We are proud to have set up a new way to prevent homelessness that does not exist anywhere else.”
Simon Dow chaired the judging panel for the London Homelessness Awards. He said: “This is a new way of ensuring that vulnerable people do not have to lose their homes. They have already supported 163 adults and children who are fleeing abuse to find safe, long-term housing; we wish them every success in their work.”
The final order of the top three, and the allocation of the prize money (£30000, £20000 and £10000), will be revealed at a very special event at City Hall on 18th October, with the prizes presented by James Murray, Deputy Mayor. For more information go to www.lhawards.org.uk. For more information, pictures or interviews please contact Mark Wall – mark@markwall.co.uk 0790 999 3278 More information about the Pan-London Housing Reciprocal is at www.saferlondon.org.uk/plhr
