LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) – Officials are concerned about a shortage in available housing for victims of domestic violence in Nebraska.

Christon MacTaggart, the executive director of the Nebraska Coalition to End Sexual and Domestic Violence, thinks there’s not an immediate solution to the problem.

She said last year across the state, 7,500 requests for services couldn’t be met for domestic violence survivors.

For many of them, a lack of resources could have meant they had to return to life with their abuser.

“Economic security is the single most important factor for most survivors of domestic and sexual violence to finding safety and moving forward,” MacTaggart said. “And housing is arguably the most important piece of that.”

She said the amount of survivors who need shelter has stayed stable, but the victims have needed to stay longer in order to get on their feet.

That’s why shelters are running out of room more often.

“We have seen a housing crisis in Nebraska around finding affordable housing or finding housing at all,” she said.

If there’s no room at a shelter, the survivor will be placed on a waiting list.

Because of this, Sen. Wendy DeBoer is doing an interim study on the lack of housing.

And many shelters, including the coalition, are doing their part to help find a permanent solution to the problem.

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