If you are experiencing domestic abuse and no longer feel safe in your own home, you have the right to seek help. You do not have to remain in an abusive relationship because you are afraid of being left without a roof over your head. You can ask for support in finding a specialist refuge for victims of domestic abuse or contact your local Council's Housing Department to discuss the options available in your circumstances.
You can also contact the Council outside normal working hours (Out of Hours) through its emergency housing service. Explain that you are a victim of domestic abuse, that you cannot safely return home or that you are at risk of losing your accommodation because of the abuse. Ask for your housing request to be registered and for an urgent assessment of your situation. You do not have to wait until you actually become homeless before asking for help.
In England, if you are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless within the next 56 days, the Council has legal duties to assess your situation and, depending on your circumstances, provide support to help prevent you from losing your home. If domestic abuse means that you cannot safely return home, you may be considered homeless even if the property is still available to you. In certain circumstances, the Council may have a duty to provide temporary accommodation, depending on the applicable legal criteria. However, there is no automatic guarantee that you will be offered permanent accommodation immediately.
If you have dependent children, it is important to inform the Council about your circumstances, the risks they may be exposed to and the need to find a safe place for you and your children.
Families with dependent children may be given priority for temporary accommodation if the relevant legal conditions are met.
If you are in danger, put your safety and your children's safety first and seek emergency assistance. If you are in immediate danger, call 999.
You do not have to face this situation alone: ask for support and clearly explain that you need a safe housing solution because of domestic abuse.
Source:
Help with housing - National Domestic Abuse Helpline
You can contact EERC for further information and assistance with housing matters.
If you need advice, our helplines are available Monday to Wednesday, 10 am to 4 pm:
PL/LT/EN: 07521857415
RO/EN: 07730021986
UA/RU/EN: 07718612218
This is in line with the information available as of 12/11/2026.