Question to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps his Department is taking to protect young people who have suffered domestic violence and are homeless.

Domestic abuse is a devastating crime, and we are taking action to make sure survivors get the support they need. My Department has committed £40 million up to 2020 to support victims of domestic abuse.

Councils have a legal duty to provide assistance to people whom they assess as homeless as a result of domestic abuse, and to provide accommodation to families and others who are vulnerable as a result of fleeing domestic abuse.

My Department is also carrying out a review of how domestic abuse services are commissioned and funded locally across England. We are working closely with other Departments, the domestic abuse sector and local authorities, to develop sustainable delivery options for domestic abuse services, including refuges.

We recognise that the needs of those who present as homeless and are victims of domestic violence can be different. That is why we are ensuring that frontline workers receive the relevant training to support these victims.

As outlined in the recently published Rough Sleeping Strategy, the Department is currently developing the Young Futures Fund. This is a social impact bond programme aimed at supporting vulnerable young people aged 18-24 who are at risk of becoming – or are currently – homeless or rough sleeping.