The state budget impasse has put domestic violence shelters in San Diego and other parts of California in a deep hole. That's because shelters haven't received any money from the state since June 30th.
The lack of state funds already forced three domestic violence shelters in California to shut down this summer.
All five shelters in San Diego County are still open.
One is called Carol's House. It's a 24-bed facility for women and children in North County.
Carol's House executive director Laurin Pause said she knows state lawmakers are in a tough spot.
"We all understand that the budget has to be balanced. But we look at this as a safety issue, not just a social service issue. We believe that people will die if there are no shelters."
Statewide in 2007, there were more than 174,000 domestic violence calls to law enforcement. That included nearly 19,000 calls in San Diego County.
