Domestic abuse, racial and hate crime support

If you are a victim of domestic abuse, hate crime, racial harassment or other violence, and are at risk of homelessness as a result, but do not wish to leave your home, we may be able to assist you to install additional security measures if it is safe and appropriate to do so through our safer home scheme.

You cannot apply directly to the scheme, but a professional who is supporting you in relation to your current situation can refer you to the safer home scheme if they feel it is appropriate for your current circumstances. 

What is the safer home scheme?

The purpose of the safer home scheme is to improve the security of your home following an incident(s) of domestic abuse, hate crime, racial harassment or other violence, thereby reducing the need for you and your family to move or become homeless as a result.

The scheme can deliver additional security measures in your home, ranging from new locks and stronger doors, through to a external cameras and safety lighting.

Who is eligible?

The scheme, and any works delivered through the scheme, are free of charge to the customer, and are funded through the government's homelessness prevention grant. 

All property types are eligible, including social rented, private rented, and privately owned/mortgaged properties.

If you rent your home, your landlord/housing association will need to provide approval before we carry out any works on your behalf.

What is the process?

Professionals including social workers, the police, domestic about support workers and council housing officers refer customers to the scheme.

Based on an initial assessment, our housing team then refers eligible applications to the local police architectural crime specialist for a property assessment.  

This will indicate whether the scheme is appropriate and what security measures are recommended to make a customer's home more secure. 

Based on the recommendations and approval from the homeowner/landlord, we will then arrange for the recommended security measures to be installed by a vetted and approved contractor.

Works could include, but are not limited to: 

• Change of locks.
• Fitting of heavy-duty doors.
• Fitting of new/additional locks to doors and windows.
• Fitting of fireproof letterboxes.
• Installation of camera doorbells.
• Outside cameras and security lighting.

Find out more

To find out more about the scheme, please speak to any professional who is supporting you in relation to your current situation and ask them to refer you to the safer home scheme if they feel it is appropriate for your current circumstances. 

If your support worker(s) wants to find out more, they can email housingoptions@lichfielddc.gov.uk 

Read our policy document