Domestic Abuse Survivors Have Increased Risk of Homelessness

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Annabelle has struggled for months to find a place to live. Due to fear of her partner, she was forced to leave her home in the middle of the night, taking only her cat and a few belongings. With no family support, she stayed with friends and in temporary shelters, but neither was a safe or sustainable option. A few months later, Annabelle received an eviction notice from her landlord. She had been unable to pay rent after the trauma of the abuse and the instability of her living situation, which made it difficult for her to maintain steady employment. Not only was she dealing with the stress of her situation, but she now faced a legal record that made finding new housing even more difficult. Despite numerous attempts to apply for housing and domestic violence resources, Annabelle was consistently met with rejection, often due to her eviction history or the stigma associated with being a gay survivor of intimate partner violence (IPV).

The role of financial dependency and economic abuse

Research reveals that IPV plays a significant role in both precipitating and prolonging homelessness for many survivors, because of survivors being forced to leave their homes or being prevented from returning to stable housing.¹

For many survivors, leaving an abusive relationship often leads to immediate housing instability. While this can happen to any gender, women and marginalized survivors are more at risk of being financially dependent on a partner.² Victims who are financially dependent on their abuser find it much harder to leave, as they may lack the financial means to pay for rent, utilities, or childcare, let alone find and move into a new home.

Without a stable support system, many end up in shelters, temporary accommodations, or even on the streets. This is why many survivors may be forced to return to their abuser—ending up trapped in their abusive and unsafe situations. "When I had to make the decision between staying or sleeping on a park bench, the decision was clear," said Elyse, who stayed with her abuser due to having no other place to go.

Lack of support from domestic violence services

Survivors also end up either staying in abusive relationships or homeless because they lack access to resources that could otherwise help them, both with recovery from abuse as well as having a safe space to stay.

Mental health support can be largely unattainable or insufficient, and shelters and other temporary housing solutions are often overwhelmed and underfunded. Shelters can only accommodate a limited number of individuals, and many survivors face long waiting lists or are turned away due to lack of space. Even when survivors are able to access shelter services, they may be overcrowded, offer limited privacy, and sometimes place individuals at risk of re-traumatization due to the close proximity of other individuals with similar experiences of violence.

Also, it is important to note that shelters are often not a permanent solution to housing instability. Once the immediate danger has passed, IPV survivors face the daunting task of finding long-term, stable housing. Without supportive services that help them navigate the housing market, many find themselves returning to their abusers or becoming homeless once again.

Legal issues and stigma affect access to housing and domestic violence resources

Legal barriers can add to the difficulty of finding housing for survivors.¹ Many survivors struggle with eviction records, police involvement, or criminal charges stemming from their experiences with abuse, even if they were the victim. Like Annabelle, some survivors are forced to leave their homes abruptly due to the abuse they are experiencing, resulting in eviction records that make it harder for them to qualify for new housing. These legal entanglements often manifest as criminal records or unresolved charges, which many landlords view as red flags and use as justification to deny housing applications.

Similarly, identity-based discrimination, along with stigma surrounding IPV, influences survivors' ability to access housing and domestic violence resources equitably. Many survivors struggle to find resources that are both affirming and safe. Trans survivors in particular often struggle to find safe places to stay following abuse, as many shelters can exclude them or even refuse to help altogether.³

What are the solutions?

Addressing homelessness among IPV survivors includes providing safe, stable, and affordable housing. Housing interventions, such as rapid rehousing programs, permanent supportive housing, and housing-first initiatives, have been shown to be effective in stabilizing survivors and helping them rebuild their lives. The success of these programs is largely because they allow survivors to focus on their safety and well-being while providing them with the stability necessary to seek employment, attend therapy, or access other support services.⁴ Programs that combine housing with services such as counseling, financial education, and legal aid can help survivors break free from the cycle of abuse.

Long-term, systemic changes are needed to address the root causes of IPV and housing instability. Policymakers must invest in affordable housing and ensure that resources are available to support survivors. However, until we work to reduce the stigma associated with domestic abuse, many survivors will still struggle to seek help.

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Creating an environment in which survivors can access not only safe housing but also the support needed to heal from the trauma of IPV will help improve safety for survivors.

If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic abuse, call 800.799.SAFE (7233) or visit thehotline.org. To find a therapist, visit the Psychology Today Therapy Directory.