Councils struggling to meet requests from domestic abuse victims for safe accommodation, warns LGA

A Local Government Association (LGA) survey – conducted five years after councils took on new duties under the Domestic Abuse Act 2021 – reveals that councils received an average of 410 presentations for safe accommodation, equivalent to more than one request every day, and made an average of 298 placements over the past year.

However, a number of the councils who took part in the survey reported that a lack of suitable accommodation is preventing them from helping as many victims and survivors as they would like.

A lack of suitable housing for people with specific needs (78%) and wider shortages of safe accommodation (69%) were the most commonly reported barriers.

Additionally, while 96% of councils said provision met women's needs to a great or moderate extent, this fell drastically for those in other demographics - to 65% for men, 55% for disabled people and 53% for people who do not identify with the sex they were registered at birth with.

Overall, 61% of councils said provision was limited for some groups.

Finally, almost three-quarters (73%) of councils said financial pressures were negatively affecting their ability to provide safe accommodation.

The LGA called for sustainable long-term funding and greater flexibility over how funding can be used locally, to allow councils to keep pace with demand.

Cllr Matt Boughton, Chair of the LGA's Safer and Stronger Communities committee, said: "Every day councils are helping victims and survivors of domestic abuse escape dangerous situations and access safety and support. Our survey shows councils are receiving more than one request a day for safe accommodation, demonstrating the scale of demand local services are responding to.

“Too many councils are finding it difficult to secure the right homes and support for people with complex or specialist needs, while financial pressures continue to grow.

“Safe accommodation can be life-changing and life-saving. But survivors also need practical help and longer-term support to rebuild their lives.”

He added: “Government can help councils meet rising demand by providing sustainable funding and greater flexibility to be able to prevent homelessness, address local gaps in provision and ensure every survivor can access accommodation that is safe, suitable and supported."

Refuge, a leading charity in tackling domestic abuse, commented on the importance of safe accommodation and survivors’ experiences in trying to access housing.

It said: “For many domestic abuse survivors, access to safe accommodation can mean the difference between escaping abuse and being forced to remain with a perpetrator. For some, it can even mean the difference between life and death.  

“Amid the deepening housing crisis, with social housing stock depleted and local authorities under severe financial strain, securing safe housing has become increasingly difficult. With failing statutory systems and specialist refuge funding at a cliff edge, women without the financial means to flee and find safe housing often face the prospect of destitution.”

The charity added: “We urge the government to review local implementation of allocations policies so that more survivors are able to access safe, appropriate housing. More than anything, we need government action to address the chronic underfunding faced by Refuge, the UK’s largest specialist domestic abuse organisation, and other specialist services in the sector.

"Without proper investment, domestic abuse survivors will continue to fall through the cracks – with devastating consequences.” 

Refuge accommodation is available in nine out of 10 responding areas, sanctuary schemes in eight out of 10 and temporary accommodation in three quarters.

The full survey is available to local authorities in England, Wales and Northern Ireland or those subscribed to the LGA’s ‘Employer Link’ here.

Harry Rodd