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National Census reveals extent of women rough sleeping

National Census reveals extent of women rough sleeping

National Census reveals extent of women rough sleeping

Wednesday, July 3, 2024

The Women’s Rough Sleeping Census was conducted in the last week of September 2023, in London (30 boroughs). Leeds and 13 other local authorities across England.

The census aimed to collect more comprehensive data on women experiencing rough sleeping and trial a different method of data collection.

Outreach teams conducting the census found 815 women across the UK, a far higher number than Government counts in those areas indicate. While ever women are less visible in places where and when the current street count happens, their numbers are not included, with critical consequences for appropriate allocation of resources and design of services. As their needs are registered differently and their rough sleeping experience does not meet the Government definition, their needs are less likely to be met and pathways to support are more challenging.

National key findings 

The national Women’s Rough Sleeping Census Report found that:  

  • In the 41 local areas that took part in the Census, 815 women were identified compared to just 189 through the Government’s Rough Sleeping Census in 2023 - that's a more than 400% increase.
  • Gender bias in existing Government counts means that women are likely to be significantly underrepresented in rough sleeping data. 
  • Women reported sleeping and sheltering in ‘hidden’ locations including A&E waiting rooms, on buses or trains, in squats, walking around all night, and staying with strangers.
  • A number of these forms of rough sleeping are not encompassed within the current government rough sleeping definition, meaning that women’s experiences are not recognised and their homelessness is less likely to be resolved. 
  • Women reported rough sleeping patterns which were transient and intermittent, meaning they are less likely to be identified by outreach workers tasked with verifying and supporting people sleeping rough (i.e. because they spend nights walking around rather than ‘bedding down’). 
  • A third of respondents reported that they had been in some form of homelessness accommodation prior to rough sleeping. This included council and government provided homelessness accommodation, and homelessness services such as hostels and refuges. This demonstrates that for many women, the accommodation offered to them is not resolving their homelessness, as it is either unsuitable for their needs or they have been unable to sustain it.

Read the National Report HERE

Thank you to all of the women, services, practitioners and local authorities whose work has enabled the census to take place.

The report is authored by Change Grow Live, with the support of Solace and Single Homeless Project. Thank you to London Councils for their ongoing support for this work, and to Homeless Link for the work of their Women’s Homelessness Project in supporting the census to expand nationally.

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