Whole Housing Approach Toolkit Dissemination Event

The Whole Housing Approach (WHA) is a 'Whole Systems Approach' to address the housing needs of domestic abuse survivors across all tenure types. Housing instability and the financial burden that often accompanies this is experienced by survivors of domestic abuse as a form of injustice. The WHA model therefore considers a range of tailored housing options and initiatives that enables people to achieve stable and safe housing, including the choice to either relocate or where possible, remain in their current property.

The WHA project team is hosting a national knowledge sharing event. This free event will introduce participants to some of the key activities undertaken by the project delivery team in our initial 18-month pilot project. The team published a Whole Housing Approach Toolkit, which includes a section for each of the model’s twelve components. The toolkit offers local areas practical guidance and resources for implementing the approach in an effort to create consistent practices for domestic abuse across the country. We will also share key learning and insights from our Year-1 Pilot Report, which will be launched as part of this event.

Event

The event will be chaired by Guddy Burnet, CEO of Standing together, who will bring together specialist guest speakers with those involved in each of the project components. Discussions will centre on innovative practices arising from joint working between the housing and domestic abuse sector, before concluding with ways to embed evidence based models into existing systems. Participants will hear from survivors who have been supported by the project.

Agenda

What is the Whole Housing Approach and why do we need it?

13:00 Welcome and introductions

13:05 Introduction to the WHA project and toolkit

13:15 Why we need a WHA: survivors experience of housing

13:25 WHA pilot: findings and impact

Focus on Innovation

13:40 Local authority perspective

13:45 Private Rented Sector, and Privately Owned Housing

14:00 Domestic Abuse Service Provision and Flexible Funding

14:10 Managed Reciprocals to sustain secure tenancies

14:30 Reflections on the WHA from the Domestic Abuse Commissioner

Embedding the Whole Housing Approach

14:35 Panel discussion: next steps

14:55 Closing remarks