New figures show that one in five people presenting as homeless in South Lanarkshire have fled violence or abuse in the home. A domestic abuse report, to be tabled at the council's housing committee on September 2, reveals that 453 individuals who applied as homeless cited violence or abuse as their reason.
This meant that hundreds of traumatised women made up 19.5 per cent of all homeless applications. That is down slightly from 513 households, or 20.8 per cent, the year before, and 528 households, or 19.4 per cent, in 2023/24.
Report highlights persistent factor in homelessness
The report, written by Stephen Gibson, executive director of housing and technical resources, states: “The available information indicates that domestic abuse and violent or abusive disputes remain a significant factor in homelessness presentations.”
“While the data appears to show a small downward trend in households reporting ‘dispute in household – violent or abusive’, it remains consistent at just under 20 percent of all homelessness presentations,” the report adds.
“It is also recognised that not all households affected by domestic abuse present as homeless, and that the figures include all instances of violent disputes within a household.”
New policy aims to strengthen support
Councillors are being asked to endorse a new housing services domestic abuse policy, drawn up after consultation with women with lived experience, tenant representatives and Women’s Aid South Lanarkshire and East Renfrewshire (WASLER). If approved, it will go to the council’s executive committee on September 16 and take effect from October 1.
The policy commits housing staff to listening to concerns, carrying out risk assessments, safety planning and offering somewhere safe to stay where needed. It also promises referrals to WASLER and other specialist support, and says staff will consider action against perpetrators, including a new legal power letting the council seek to remove a perpetrator from the family home so survivors and children can stay.
Funding and consultation details
Long-term funding for a dedicated domestic abuse housing officer post has not yet been confirmed, the report adds, and the council says it will keep talking to the Scottish Government to try to maintain the service.
Residents across South Lanarkshire have helped to shape the council’s new domestic abuse policy. A formal consultation period was held earlier this summer, inviting feedback from members of the public, and it concluded on June 15.
Developed by the council’s housing and technical resources department, this policy marks a step in strengthening the support available to those affected by domestic abuse.
