Housing Crisis Exposes Vulnerable Families to Greater Risk
A comprehensive report from Ireland's National Women's Council has revealed concerning connections between housing shortages and increased vulnerability among women and children facing domestic situations.
The Housing Precarity, Homelessness and Violence against Women and Girls report examines how current housing challenges are affecting women in difficult domestic circumstances, finding that families are increasingly caught between limited housing options and unsafe home environments.
Key Findings and Recommendations
Ivanna Youtchak, the National Women's Council Violence Against Women Coordinator, explained the report's central finding during an interview with RTÉ's Drivetime programme. She noted that when women seek to leave unsafe relationships, the lack of alternative accommodation creates additional challenges.
"If you don't have places to go you either have to choose to sleep rough, with children in many cases, or with your abuser. That makes you more vulnerable to predators," Ms Youtchak stated.
The report identifies domestic abuse as a direct cause of homelessness for many women and calls for comprehensive solutions, including the declaration of a housing emergency.
Proposed Solutions
Among the report's recommendations is the introduction of a "housing first response" to domestic and gender-based violence, recognising that stable housing is fundamental to safety and recovery.
Ms Youtchak emphasised that solutions extend beyond increasing refuge capacity. "We need to understand that in many cases, women and children need to stay at home if it safe to do so," she said, suggesting that removing perpetrators from homes could be more effective in certain circumstances.
The report also addresses online exploitation, specifically "sex for rent" advertisements, recommending that digital platforms be held accountable for such content. A pre-legislative report on the Prohibition of Advertising or Importuning Sex for Rent Bill 2025 has supported this approach.
Statistical Concerns
One significant issue highlighted is the exclusion of women in emergency accommodation refuges from national homelessness statistics. This omission creates barriers to accessing support services and provides an incomplete picture of the crisis.
"Currently, because they are not registered as homeless, they can't access, and the care providers for the frontline services struggle to find a way to support them because of these barriers," Ms Youtchak explained.
The report calls for both emergency and long-term solutions, including increased emergency accommodation and improved access to social housing for affected families. While acknowledging that the new housing plan recognises domestic violence as a key driver of homelessness for women, Ms Youtchak stressed the need for comprehensive action to address all aspects of this complex issue.