A place of mine - stable housing for victims of domestic abuse

Societal relevance och utilisationEvery year, 6,000 people in Sweden stay in sheltered housing and the majority are women and children exposed to domestic violence (DV). After a stay in sheltered housing, it is often difficult to access permanent housing. Municipalities are recommended to help victims of DV with permanent housing, but there is no enforceable right.

Shortcomings in the municipalities´ methods mean that women and children remain in sheltered housing for long periods, are forced to move between temporary accommodation or, that they need to return to the abuser.

This project will contribute with knowledge on how victims of DV experience the path to permanent housing, as well asknowledge on how different housing solutions affect place identity, health and quality of life.

The project will contribute to development of municipal guidelines and methods to strengthen access to permanent housing for victims of DV. Reserch problem and specific questions1.

How is the path to permanent housing experienced by women who have received municipal housing interventions due to DV?2.

How do the women experience their housing condition, aspects of the housing intervention and participation in authority processes regarding housing and protective measures?3. What meaning do the women give the experience of belonging with the previous and new place?4.

What are the relationships between housing situation and place identity, health, quality of life, fulfillment of basic psychological needs?5. How do municipalities interpret the task to provide victims of DV with permanent housing?6.

How do representatives from the municipalities formulate problems and solutions regarding permanent housing for victims of DV?7.

What obstacles, opportunities and critical factors can be identified in the municipalities´ development of methods for stable housing?Data and methodA quantitative survey will be conducted among women who have received municipal housing interventions due to DV.

Qualitative interviews will be conducted with women from the same target group and with professionals, from five municipalities, who work with housing provision for victims of DV.

Collection of written material (guidelines and policies) will be collected from the municipalities.Plan for project realisationThe project will be carried out as an interdisciplinary 3-year research project located at NCK, in collaboration with the University of Gävle (HIG) and the County Administrative Board of Gävleborg.