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Date

10 December 2025

Location

Virtual via Microsoft Teams

Time

11:30 - 12:30

Debt can prevent domestic abuse survivors accessing safe homes. What needs to change?

Housing provider policies concerning housing-related debt can prevent survivors of domestic abuse from leaving temporary accommodation. Changes to allocations policies and practices could improve outcomes. 

Everyone deserves a safe and affordable home. For those who make the decision to leave an abusive situation, the housing and welfare system should support survivors to start again, yet evidence shows when survivors flee domestic abuse, they face substantial costs and are likely to accrue additional debt.

These debts increase the longer the delay in being rehoused. Where current rules held by some housing providers exclude or de-prioritise survivors due to housing-related debt, this situation can worsen.

Come along to understand more about redefining policies and practice to better support survivors out of debt and into safe housing. 

Your speakers:

  • Professor Katherine Brickell, professor of urban studies
  • Dr Mel Nowicki, associate professor in urban geography
  • Stephanie Morphew, policy lead, Chartered Institute of Housing
  • Sam Lister, policy lead, Chartered Institute of Housing
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"My Child and I are homeless. But I’m banned from social housing because of debt"
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