Supporting survivors of domestic abuse must be core to our fight against homelessness

Aside from the clear moral argument to employ the WHA, there is a significant economic one too. For every £1 invested in the model, £10.20 in public sector savings is generated. And, for every £1 spent, £1.20 is saved in directly attributable local authority housing costs. 

Having a roof over your head is a necessity to survive, but we all need more than that to thrive. This is especially true for those that have been through complex trauma such as domestic abuse.  

In a recent roundtable I chaired with the charity End Furniture Poverty, we called on the government to ensure that a proportion of social homes – both new and existing – are furnished with essential items for victims of domestic abuse who are being rehoused. Because we cannot in good conscience tell a woman she is safe now, hand her the keys to a flat, and then leave her standing in an empty shell of a home with no cooker, no bed, no washing machine. That is not a fresh start. That is another hurdle. And in too many cases, it risks pushing women back to their abuser. 

The government now has a generational opportunity to tackle the homelessness emergency and confront the housing crisis head-on. Women must be at the forefront of that strategy. Recent changes, such as the removal of local connection tests for victims of domestic abuse, are a positive step, but they must be part of a broader, more comprehensive approach. 

The Inter-Ministerial Group on Tackling Homelessness must act without any further delay. A unified response across all government departments is essential if we are to effectively support survivors of domestic abuse and prevent them from falling into the cycle of abuse and homelessness. One of the priorities in this effort must be the collection of better data.

Around 54% of women sleeping rough are missed off the official government counts because they spend the night in places not classed as rough sleeping such as public transport, 24-hour cafes or, more dangerously, sleeping on a strangers sofa – to try and stay safe during the night. We need to look at effective, women-focused examples such as the Women’s Rough Sleeping Census, conducted by Solace Women’s Aid and Single Homeless Project. We can’t hope to help these women if we don’t know the scale of the problem.  

Victims of domestic abuse face numerous disadvantages, whether they are single, raising children, or placed in inadequate temporary accommodation. The growing housing waiting list only adds to the urgency. While we need more social homes, this process takes time. Therefore, immediate interventions are crucial to prevent women from slipping through the cracks. 

“While we need more social homes, this process takes time. Therefore, immediate interventions are crucial to prevent women from slipping through the cracks”

Adopting a whole housing approach for those fleeing domestic abuse is essential. We need more supported housing schemes that recognise that healing and rebuilding a life requires more than just a roof overhead. We have also seen how the Housing First pilot schemes in cities like Liverpool and Manchester, and in the West Midlands have demonstrated success in this regard. These programmes provide safe homes and wraparound support, enabling women to regain control of their lives and start anew with dignity and hope. Scaling up these successful initiatives should be a priority. 

At the core of our mission should be the understanding that supporting women is not about rationing dignity; it is about empowerment. It is about ensuring that every survivor has genuine choice and a fair chance to rebuild her life. 

Together, we can build a future where every woman is safe, every woman is housed, and every woman is heard. It is time to take a stand and demand the changes necessary to protect and support the women who need it most. The fight against domestic abuse and homelessness is not just a policy issue; it is a moral imperative that we must all embrace. 

Paula Barker, MP for Liverpool Wavertree, and co-chair, All-Party Parliamentary Group for Ending Homelessness