Councils across England are receiving more than one request every day from victims and survivors of domestic abuse seeking safe accommodation, but growing shortages of suitable housing and mounting financial pressures are making it increasingly difficult to provide support.
A new survey by the Local Government Association, published five years after councils took on new responsibilities under the Domestic Abuse Act 2021, highlights both the scale of demand and the challenges local authorities face in delivering safe accommodation and support services.
The survey, which gathered responses from 49 councils, found that during 2025/26 authorities received an average of 410 presentations for safe accommodation, equivalent to more than one request every day. Councils made an average of 298 placements during the same period.
However, many local authorities said they were unable to help as many victims and survivors as they wanted because suitable accommodation simply was not available.
The biggest obstacles identified by councils were a lack of suitable accommodation for victims and survivors with specific needs, cited by 78 per cent of respondents, and wider shortages of safe accommodation, highlighted by 69 per cent.
Financial pressures are also taking their toll, with nearly three-quarters (73 per cent) of councils reporting that budget constraints are having a negative impact on their ability to provide safe accommodation services.
The LGA is calling for long-term, sustainable funding alongside greater local flexibility over how government funding can be used, enabling councils to respond more effectively to rising demand and local priorities.
Despite the pressures, councils continue to provide a broad range of support options for those fleeing abuse.
The survey found:
- Refuge accommodation is available in 90 per cent of responding council areas.
- Sanctuary schemes are available in 80 per cent.
- Temporary accommodation is provided in 75 per cent of areas.
While 86 per cent of councils said current provision met identified needs to a great or moderate extent, concerns remain around the availability of specialist accommodation and tailored support services.
Although women continue to represent the majority of domestic abuse victims, councils reported varying levels of confidence in meeting the needs of different groups.
Almost all councils (96 per cent) said provision met the needs of women to a great or moderate extent. However, this fell significantly for other groups:
- Men: 65 per cent
- Disabled people: 55 per cent
- People who do not identify with the sex they were registered at birth: 53 per cent
Overall, 61 per cent of councils said current provision was limited for some groups, underlining ongoing concerns around equitable access to support services.
The research also found that 82 per cent of councils use the Homelessness, Rough Sleeping and Domestic Abuse Grant to help fund domestic abuse accommodation services.
More than three-quarters (78 per cent) said they would benefit from greater flexibility in how the funding can be used. Councils highlighted opportunities to address gaps in specialist support, expand accommodation capacity and invest more heavily in preventative work.
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.
"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."
As demand continues to rise, local authorities warn that without additional investment and greater autonomy over funding decisions, the gap between need and available support could widen further, leaving some of the most vulnerable residents without access to the accommodation and services they need.
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