Stricter emergency housing rules risk domestic violence victims
Thursday 8 October 2026 · 2 outlets · 2 reports · updated In this story Women's Refuge
Women's Refuge claims that 2024 policy changes to emergency housing are endangering victims of domestic violence. The new rules introduce tougher eligibility criteria and require individuals to prove their ongoing need for housing. Additionally, the changes removed requirements to consider the impact of denying emergency accommodation.
Key facts
4 facts
- 2024 policy changes introduced stricter eligibility and ongoing requirements for emergency housing
- A report surveyed 338 respondents, 290 of whom had dependent children in transitional or emergency housing
- Failure to meet ongoing requirements can result in a 13-week ban from emergency accommodation
- MSD provided over $42 million to 54 women's refuges during the current financial year
The full story
1 min read · 2 outlets
Women's Refuge claims that stricter emergency housing requirements are placing victims of domestic violence at risk. Policy changes introduced in 2024 established more rigorous eligibility criteria and required individuals to prove their need and show efforts to find alternative housing. These changes also removed the obligation to assess if denying accommodation would worsen an applicant's situation.
A new report based on 338 survey respondents found that 290 of those individuals had dependent children in emergency or transitional housing. Many respondents had attempted to separate from perpetrators multiple times, and most were currently separated. The report highlighted that victims often face threats, financial hardship, and administrative burdens while fleeing abuse.
Dr Sophie Beaumont, a research and development advisor at Women's Refuge, stated, "Abuse can leave victims without access to money, without access to their bank accounts, to their identification, important documents, transport, support networks - all of these things are kind of implicated in the new requirements to this policy".
The Ministry of Social Development (MSD) responded that current policy prevents people from being refused emergency housing if they left their home due to family violence. MSD group general manager for enablement Karen Hocking said the Ministry would be "extremely concerned if someone was declined emergency housing support for this reason". MSD noted it provided over $42 million this financial year to 54 women's refuges nationwide.
Compiled from reports by RNZ and Otago Daily Times.