offenders who are at risk of rough sleeping. The third most common reason for loss of last settled housing in 2023-2024 is leaving an institution with no housing available.
19.4. Looking ahead, we are actively exploring alternative funding streams and partnership opportunities to sustain vital services and minimise any disruption for those who depend on them. Our ongoing priority is to provide consistent, high-quality support to individuals with an offending history who are at risk of, or currently experiencing, homelessness.
20.1. The Domestic Abuse Act 2021 introduced significant changes to Part 7 of the Housing Act 1996, including a new statutory definition of domestic abuse and enhanced support for those affected. One key change was the extension of the priority need category to include all eligible individuals who are homeless because of domestic abuse.
20.2. Many people experiencing domestic abuse are forced to flee their homes, often relocating away from their local council area due to immediate safety concerns. Recognising this critical need, we introduced a specialist Domestic Abuse Advisor within our Housing Options Team in 2019. This role provides tailored, trauma-informed support to those fleeing domestic abuse, helping them navigate housing pathways safely and effectively.
20.3. Domestic abuse has consistently remained one of the top three reasons for households being owed a prevention duty since 2021. The proportion of cases linked to the loss of home due to domestic abuse has risen from 4.7% in 2021-2022, to 5.5% in 2022-2023, and increased sharply to 17.2% in 2023-2024 with a slight reduction in 2024-2025 at 13.2%. This