Councils Struggle to Provide Safe Housing for Domestic Abuse Survivors, Survey Finds

The survey, released on 7 October 2026, highlights the pressure on housing services and the growing challenge of securing suitable accommodation for victims and survivors.

The findings come five years after councils were given additional duties under the Domestic Abuse Act 2021.

What did the research find?

The survey involved 49 English councils.

During the 2025/26 financial year, responding councils received an average of 410 presentations from people seeking safe accommodation.

That equates to more than one request a day per responding authority.

The councils reported an average of 298 accommodation placements during the same period.

These figures are averages for the survey sample and should not be interpreted as national totals or a direct count of people refused accommodation.

Why are councils struggling?

The research identified several major barriers.

A total of 78% of responding councils highlighted a shortage of suitable accommodation for people with specific needs.

A further 69% identified wider shortages of safe accommodation, while 73% said financial pressures were negatively affecting their ability to provide support.

Some survivors require accommodation that meets additional accessibility, family, medical or safeguarding needs.

Finding suitable housing can therefore be considerably more complicated than locating an available property.

What services are currently available?

Councils provide several types of assistance, including refuge accommodation, sanctuary schemes and temporary housing.

According to the survey, refuge accommodation was available in nine out of ten responding council areas.

Sanctuary schemes, which can help people remain safely in their existing homes where appropriate, were available in eight out of ten.

Temporary accommodation was reported in approximately three-quarters of the areas surveyed.

However, the existence of a service does not necessarily mean there is enough suitable space to meet every request.

What happens next?

The Local Government Association is calling for sustainable long-term funding and greater flexibility to address gaps in local provision.

The report is expected to be presented to the government's Domestic Abuse Housing Group.

The findings raise questions about whether housing supply, specialist accommodation and local authority funding are sufficient to meet existing responsibilities.

For survivors, the issue goes beyond council finances. Access to safe, appropriate accommodation can be essential to escaping abuse and rebuilding an independent life.

Keep Updated UK will follow the government's response and any changes to accommodation funding.