Pan London Housing Reciprocal

The funding for the Pan London Housing Reciprocal (PLHR) is coming to an end and as such the service will close from the 30^th September 2024.

To support the decommissioning process, Safer London has stopped accepting referrals into this service.

Please see below for how this change may affect you.

If you’re a domestic abuse victim/survivor applicant/tenant

There is an alternative pathway to accommodation via Housing Moves. Housing Moves is managed by the Greater London Authority (GLA) and operates on a bidding system. This is a priority pathway for those affected by domestic abuse/violence. It provides greater autonomy and agency with you – the survivor/victim – as you can choose what properties you bid on.

Please contact your supporting professional to see if you meet the eligibility criteria. They will need to submit a referral on your behalf.

If you’re a named lead/nominating officer

We advise you seek alternative options to meet the needs of those you are supporting who are currently on PLHR waiting list. These options will depend on the reason for referral, and we have included some alternative routes to safer housing below.

For clients affected by domestic abuse/domestic violence

If the referral was made due to a risk of domestic abuse, there is an alternative pathway to accommodation via Housing Moves. Housing Moves is managed by the Greater London Authority (GLA) and operates on a bidding system. This is a priority pathway for those affected by domestic abuse/violence.

You can approach the Housing Moves team at Greater London Authority (GLA) at housing.moves@london.gov.uk to establish whether your client meets their referral criteria. If the criteria is met, you will need to submit a referral on behalf of the individual. Once registered, the tenant bids on available priorities that fulfil their needs. There is an FAQ on the Housing Moves webpage which you can also refer clients to review.

Domestic abuse victims/survivors can also access Revive which a specialist move on service by contacting revive@homefinderuk.org

For clients risk of violence in the community and/or hate crime

If the referral was made due to risk of safety in the community, whether this be due to hate crime or serious youth violence, many local authority housing departments and Housing Associations are willing to discuss and enter into direct reciprocal arrangements. Please identify and contact your counterpart in an authority in an area assessed as safe for your client.

HomeFinders

HomeFinders is a national housing mobility scheme providing social housing and partners with local authorities and housing associations across the country. They also offer mutual exchanges via www.houseexchange.org.uk which can be accessed by registering with www.homefinderuk.org

Safer London would like to thank our funders, MOPAC for their support of the scheme since 2017, as well as all our partners and stakeholders for their support in meeting the needs of those fleeing violence over the past seven years.

Frequently Asked Questions

What will happen to those who are on the PLHR waiting list?

Safer London will continue to try and make property matches for those currently on the waiting up until 20th September.

Social housing stock in London continues to be an ongoing challenge, with larger family sized priorities in serious lack of availability. Therefore, we encourage those on the list to try and seek alternative options/pathways

If you are a nominating officer, we advise that you continue to support your client and talk through the alternate options available.

I am unsafe and need to move urgently

The PLHR was never an emergency housing pathway.

If you require a move urgently due to a risk to your safety, please speak to your support worker or housing officer who can discuss emergency housing options with you.

Is it Safer London’s intent to no longer support victims/survivors of DA/DV to find safe homes?

Safer London works with young Londoners and families affected by violence and exploitation. DA/DV are recurring themes we see throughout our work.

Although our primary focus is not around supporting those fleeing DA/DV to find safer homes, we will always work to safeguard the young Londoners and families we work alongside.

What will happen to the housing stock that Safer London holds via the PLHR?

Safer London is not a housing provider and as such we do not have access to any housing stock. The PLHR worked by connecting housing providers together, with Safer London acting as a broker in the process of swapping housing stock.

I don’t want to use Housing Moves, what are my other options?

If you do not wish to use Housing Moves, there are other options available.

Domestic abuse victims/survivors can also access Revive which a specialist move on service by contacting revive@homefinderuk.org

Alternatively, you can access HomeFinders, a national housing mobility scheme providing social housing and partners with local authorities and housing associations across the country. They also offer mutual exchanges via www.houseexchange.org.uk which can be accessed by registering with www.homefinderuk.org

I have already been referred to Housing Moves and still haven’t found a new property, can Safer London help?

Housing moves is operated and managed by the Greater London Authority (GLA).

We suggest that you contact them directly if you have any questions or concerns.

I’ve been on the waiting for list for years - what happens now? Do I start from the bottom?

We suggest you use alternative housing pathways. What pathway is available will depend on your individual circumstances and needs.

In all cases you can seek advice from your local authority, citizens advice or legal advisor.

For those affected by domestic violence/abuse there is an alternative pathway to accommodation via Housing Moves. Housing Moves is managed by the Greater London Authority (GLA) and operates on a bidding system. This is a priority pathway for those affected by domestic abuse/violence. It provides greater autonomy and agency with you – the survivor/victim – as you can choose what properties you bid on.