Dispersed accommodation is the future for helping domestic abuse survivors escape homelessness

For the past 20 years, I have dedicated my career to developing and managing houses for survivors who are fleeing domestic abuse.

These properties have seen thousands of women and children navigate the trauma of domestic abuse. But they are more than houses – they are safe havens. For many survivors, access to safe accommodation can mean the difference between life and death. 

While refuge accommodation has transformed the lives of countless survivors, domestic abuse remains a major cause of homelessness among women. Not only is there a severe shortage of lifesaving refuge accommodation, but there are even fewer properties that are accessible for survivors with differing needs.

Since the opening of the first-ever refuge in 1971, most properties have consisted of communal accommodation, where multiple survivors share a larger house. 

Shared accommodation can be ideal for some women and children, fostering a sense of community with fellow survivors. But just as every survivor’s experience is unique, there isn’t a ‘one-size-fits-all’ solution when it comes to safe accommodation.

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I began my career as an accommodation coordinator, working with a registered housing provider and local authorities to develop a new approach to safe accommodation: purpose-built refuges made up of semi-independent, self-contained flats for larger families.   

I then joined Refuge, the UK’s largest specialist domestic abuse organisation, around a decade ago. During this time, I’ve seen Refuge make incredible progress in expanding its accommodation provision. Every year, we house over 1,400 women and their children in our 65 refuges, where specialist support workers help families regain their independence.  

However, our work is far from done. For many women – including those with disabilities, larger families, or pets – communal accommodation simply doesn’t meet their needs. Without accessible accommodation, survivors often remain trapped in abuse or face the risk of homelessness. 

This’s why Refuge launched its dispersed accommodation model in 2023, offering secure and adaptable housing to meet the diverse range of survivors we support.

The model consists of a range of self-contained properties, each with their own front door and additional security features such as discreet CCTV, window locks and arson-proof letterboxes. 

Thanks to dispersed accommodation, survivors have been able to keep their beloved pets, and older children have gained the privacy and dignity they deserve. Our bungalow has been life-changing for disabled survivors, offering an open-plan layout, height adjustable kitchen countertops, and purpose-built ramps.

A survivor living in one of Refuge’s dispersed properties told us that the accommodation was crucial in allowing them to rebuild their life with their children and dogs: “I’m so thankful for this safe accommodation. It’s meant my teenage daughter has her own space, and I have adaptations like step-free access and a wet room that help me manage my health. My dogs are like my babies. If this place hadn’t been available – somewhere I could bring them with me – I would have been so distressed and unable to leave safely.”

We now manage 29 dispersed properties and are in the process of onboarding another six, as we strive to support as many women and children as possible. 

Our mission is to ensure that no survivor goes through domestic abuse alone. We are committed to a world where domestic abuse is not tolerated, and where women and their children can live in safety.  

But none of this is possible without safe, accessible housing for survivors.

Our new partnership with Omaze will be critical in funding dispersed accommodation, enabling us to buy new properties and provide a safe haven for more survivors than ever before.

We’re guaranteed to receive £1 million from this exciting campaign, which could provide three homes, complete with built-in safety features and ongoing support from Refuge’s expert teams.

While Refuge currently leases a number of our dispersed properties, these new homes will be owned by us, making our dispersed model even more sustainable.

By entering the Omaze Million Pound House Draw in Yorkshire, in aid of Refuge, you can help provide women and their children with their own front door, so they can rebuild their lives – free from fear. 

Find out more about how to get involved by visiting www.omaze.co.uk. Rachel Shuter is senior operations manager at specialist domestic abuse charity Refuge.

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