Lawlor calls for housing supports for victims fleeing abusive homes
LABOUR councillor George Lawlor used his platform at last month’s meeting of Wexford County Council to plea for people fleeing domestic abuse to be allowed to access housing supports to help them get back on their feet.
Cllr Lawlor asked that people who have been forced to take out safety, protection or barring orders against a spouse or partner be allowed to access supports, even if they are co-owners of the family home. Currently, if your name is on the ownership of a house, you are automatically precluded from accessing social housing support.
‘Over the years I’ve encountered this situation many times, primarily with women but not solely, who through no fault of their own find themselves homeless after fleeing a potentially dangerous situation,’ he said. ‘They find themselves locked in because of an inability to support themselves independently and access housing.’
A board member of Wexford Women’s Refuge, Cllr Lawlor is calling for the Housing SPC of Wexford County Council to change policy when it comes to assessing applicants in this situation, so that they can at least gain access to the Housing Assistance Payment for private rental.
‘We want to ensure that people aren’t forced to stay in a dangerous or abusive situation,’ he said. ‘I’d like to see the council adopt the policy that those in situations of domestic violence or coercive control can access housing supports. Unfortunately, there’s quite a number of people in this situation and we need to see that they are assisted. We need to provide at least a chink of light in a desperate situation for these people.’