Women’s Aid cautiously welcomes the recognition of the significant links between domestic violence and homelessness for the first time in the new Government Action Plan on Housing

Friday 14th November 2025: Women’s Aid cautiouslywelcomes the recognition of domestic violence as a key cause of homelessness for women and children in the Government’s new Action Plan on Housing Supply and Targeting Homelessness, 2025-2030, published Thursday. This is the first plan that has ever done so.

The inclusion of actions aimed at supporting women being subjected to domestic violence and abuse was a key priority for Women’s Aid in its submission to the National Housing Plan process, and in a meeting with Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, James Browne, earlier this year.

Once a woman, often with children, leaves the family home due to an abusive relationship, re-establishing secure housing is one of the most urgent, yet difficult, issues she faces.

It is significant that the new Action Plan on Housing Supply and Targeting Homelessness explicitly acknowledges domestic violence as a driver of homelessness and goes further than previous plans in addressing this issue.

The plan also explicitly references links to the Third National Strategy on Domestic, Sexual and Gender-Based Violence, which is very welcome.

The commitment to developing a protocol with local authorities to provide that survivor-victims of domestic violence and abuse can transfer time spent on a social housing waiting list to another local authority, is especially welcome.

To date, concern that a woman will lose her place on a social housing list if she moves has been a factor that a woman has to consider when trying to escape a domestic violence situation.

The Action Plan references intention to amend the Housing Act to consider the best interests of the child, and also to include domestic violence and abuse in the new Homeless Prevention Framework, both of which are vital steps.

Women’s Aid will continue to monitor the progress of these issues and will seek to be consulted again in the preparation of the Homelessness Action Plan and Prevention Framework; it is vital they are domestic violence informed.

We will seek clarity on a number of the actions proposed, as many are undefined or leave critical decisions to local discretion. The plan does not mention refuge provision or transitional housing for domestic violence and abuse survivor-victims, there is no specific allocation of social housing for survivors, or financial supports to help women secure safe accommodation.

Without clear, enforceable obligations, survivors will continue to face barriers that put them at risk of returning to abusers or falling into homelessness.

Other recommendations from the Women’s Aid submission to the Housing Plan that are included and will help women subjected to domestic abuse if implemented are the review of Housing Assistance Payments and the increase in provision of social housing.

ENDS

Please attribute any quotes taken from this statement to Sarah Benson, CEO, Women’s Aid.

For more information contact Christina Sherlock at 087 919 2457 or by email to christina.sherlock@womensaid.ie or Martina Genockey on 086 206 7766 or email martina.genockey@womensaid.ie.