It was a proposal from the Green Party in Luleå that has now led to the municipal housing company Lulebo deciding that from Monday women who have been subjected to violence will be able to get priority in the municipal housing queue. It is welcomed, among other things, by the local women’s shelter IRIS.
But the weakest group is still at risk of being excluded. Many who are subjected to violence in intimate relationships are also subjected to economic violence, where the perpetrator takes control of the woman’s finances, or forces the vulnerable woman to take over loans and debts.
– We think it is good because it will make it easier, it will be faster for many women to get their own home and be able to start their lives again. What we see, however, are risks, that it may leave out the women who are perhaps the most vulnerable groups who may have debts with the bailiff or do not have permanent employment, so these will still take a long time to support and help, says Josephine Boman, the women’s shelter Iris, Luleå
Many requirements to get priority
In order to meet the requirements for priority, the woman must first receive a written statement from the social administration that proves that she is deemed to be exposed to violence. She must also have been registered in Luleå Municipality for at least one year and be on Lulebo’s housing queue, in addition to that she must have good finances, be debt-free with the County Commissioner and be able to prove her income for the next six months.
It is also required that she lives up to the general rental conditions, which include not having any payment complaints in the last twelve months. In addition, she must have good references from previous landlords.
The municipality can step in as a financial guarantor
Even if the financial requirements are tough, there are possible ways out for the victim of violence as social services can step in as a guarantor.
– If you have problems with your own livelihood, you can then apply for financial assistance from us, we also have so-called social contracts, transition contracts where we in the social service act as a guarantor between the individual and the landlord so that you get leave a violent relationship, because no woman should live with her perpetrator, says Ingrid Johansson Hornberg at the social administration in Luleå.