Greens crossbencher Caroline Le Couteur has called for an urgent review of the way women's refuges are funded in the ACT, after it was revealed Australia's longest running domestic violence shelter is at risk of closing.
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Beryl is funded as a homeless shelter under the National Affordable Housing Agreement, which is matched by the ACT government. It is not funded for its domestic violence services.
Manager Robyn Martin said the shelter had to lay off two case workers because of the cuts.
Christmas is a busy time for domestic violence services and shelters and Ms Le Couteur was concerned that Beryl's staff would not be able to cope with the demand.
"As we know Christmas is a time where lots of family and relationship issues come to a head," Ms Le Couteur said.
"We know historically this is a peak time for refuges, for crisis accommodation and in particular people who may be fleeing domestic and family violence.
"We've know that for many, many years and to its credit the ACT government does put some effort into ensuring there's extra crisis beds over Christmas time but what we are saying is that what they're doing is unfortunately not enough.
"As far as Beryl is concerned, and Beryl as you'd be aware is the nation's longest serving specialist domestic violence women's refuge, they have to do more work over this period but they don't have more money.
"The ACT government must start funding them not just as a housing provider, not just as a homeless provider but as an organisation which actually does significant work for their clients."
Ms Le Couteur also raised concerns about bed block in the sector.
A void in available affordable or public housing meant women who fled violent homes often remained in shelters longer than expected.
In the case of Beryl, Ms Le Couteur said clients stayed for an average of 153 nights.
"One of the reasons they're not leaving that quickly is because there's nowhere for them to go," Ms Le Couteur said.
"Our public housing and affordable housing provision is not keeping up with population growth in the ACT. We know that women and kids sleep in cars."
