THERE is a huge amount of work being done to get people fleeing domestic abuse into safe accommodation, a North Yorkshire group has said following a national warning over emergency housing supplies.
A spokesperson for the Independent Domestic Abuse Service (IDAS) said the need for homes for victims was greater than their availability, creating hidden homelessness among those who need help.
Cllr Lucy Steels-Walshaw, City of York Council's Labour health spokesperson, said they were working to find affected individuals safe and secure accommodation.
A Government spokesperson said they were providing councils with almost £500 million to help support domestic abuse victims and survivors.
It follows a warning from the Local Government Association (LGA) that councils in England are each receiving more than one request a day on average for help from those fleeing domestic abuse.
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A survey from the body found councils received 410 presentations for safe accommodation on average in 2025/6.
The IDAS charity said it provided emergency accommodation to 134 adults and 94 children across York and North Yorkshire last year.
The council did not provide its figures but said the amount of people supported was significant.
The LGA said around three quarters of councils, 73 per cent, told them financial pressures were hampering their ability to provide safe accommodation.
More than three quarters of councils, 78 per cent, said providing accommodation for people with specific needs was a barrier to housing victims.
The survey of 49 councils also found 69 per cent of them reported wider shortages in safe accommodation.
The 410 presentations a year compared with 298 placements made a year on average across the surveyed councils.
Office for National Statistics (ONS) figures show that women make up the majority of domestic abuse victims nationally.
More than one person a day is approaching councils across England for help to flee domestic abuse on average, the Local Government Association (LGA) said (Image: Newsquest)
Cllr Matt Boughton, chair of the LGA's Safer and Stronger Communities committee, said too many councils were finding it difficult to secure the right homes and support for people.
The committee chair added the Government could help by providing sustainable funding and greater flexibility to prevent homelessness and fill local gaps in accommodation.
IDAS's spokesperson said every day people subjected to domestic abuse were making the incredibly difficult decision to leave their homes to find safety.
They added their teams had supported 3,919 people across North Yorkshire with domestic abuse more broadly last year alongside those it had provided emergency accommodation to.
The charity also said it had continued to invest accommodation and work with partners on housing, adding national investment had an important role to play.
IDAS's spokesperson said: "The need is greater than the number of available homes.
“Domestic abuse can also create hidden homelessness, particularly for women who may be sofa surfing, staying temporarily with friends or family, or remaining in unsafe situations because they have nowhere suitable to go.
“Greater availability of affordable, suitable move-on accommodation, alongside sustained funding for specialist domestic abuse services, would help ensure that people can move from emergency accommodation into safe and stable homes to ensure there is space for others who needing immediate support."
Cllr Steels-Walshaw said they were working to find victims suitable accommodation including with private landlords, trusted family members and emergency refuges.
The executive member said: "We have helped a significant number of individuals to move to safe accommodation across York and North Yorkshire, comprising of refuge and dispersed accommodation.
“In addition, the IDAS Sanctuary Scheme, where victims wish to remain in their own homes, has recently expanded.
“This has provided thousands of items to individuals to enhance their safety at home and many have received specific tailored victim support in their own home across York and North Yorkshire."
A spokesperson for the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government said the almost £500m they were providing to councils over the next three years was £100m higher than in 2024/5.
They added they were also investing £39bn in social and affordable housing to ensure people could get the safe housing they deserve.
The spokesperson said: "Nobody experiencing abuse should be left in a home they do not feel safe in and anyone homeless as a result of domestic abuse must have priority access to emergency accommodation."
Need support?
IDAS provides free, confidential support to anyone impacted by domestic abuse or sexual violence in York and North Yorkshire.
Helpline: 03000 110 110
Live Chat: Monday to Friday, 1pm–4pm
Website: idas.org.uk
Email: * info@idas.org.uk*