Homelessness Prevention and Sanctuary Schemes

Official figures show domestic violence to be a factor in one out of eight new cases of homelessness. To prevent victims of domestic violence being driven from their homes and therefore becoming homeless, the Government is encouraging local authorities to set up 'sanctuaries' for victims in their homes. This briefing considers the use of sanctuary schemes as a means of preventing homelessness and sets out the principles on which Shelter believes such schemes should be based.