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Leeds Women’s Rough Sleeping Census 2025: Listening to Voices, Building Better Support

Leeds Women’s Rough Sleeping Census 2025: Listening to Voices, Building Better Support

Leeds Women’s Rough Sleeping Census 2025: Listening to Voices, Building Better Support

Tuesday, January 6, 2026

Homelessness is often seen through a one-size-fits-all lens, but the reality for women sleeping rough is complex, hidden, and deeply personal. Leeds’ third annual Women’s Rough Sleeping Census, carried out in September 2025 with 64 women surveyed, shines a vital light on these lived experiences and the urgent need for gender-specific, trauma-informed services. The full report will be published February 2026.

Who Are the Women We’re Supporting?

The age range of women rough sleeping spans from young adults to those over 65, with the majority between 25 and 44 years old. Compared to 2024, we see a slight shift: fewer younger women (18-24) were surveyed this year, but there was an increase in women aged 45-54, reflecting changing patterns and diverse experiences.

Ethnically, most respondents identified as White British, but a range of backgrounds including, Black or Black British, White other and Arab women were also represented—highlighting the need for culturally sensitive support.

Gender identity data reminds us that inclusivity matters: while most women identified as cisgender, the census also included a trans woman and a non-binary person, underscoring the importance of services that respect all gender identities.

The Realities of Rough Sleeping

Many women surveyed reported sleeping rough very recently—over a third had slept rough the night before being surveyed. Rough sleeping patterns vary, with some women experiencing intermittent rough sleeping and others facing nightly exposure to the dangers of life on the streets.

Where do women sleep when rough? The most frequent answers were sleeping outside, walking around all night, staying with friends or acquaintances, and in hostels or supported housing. This transient, often hidden nature of women’s rough sleeping underlines why they are often missed in official statistics.

Before sleeping rough, many women were sofa surfing or living in social rented housing—circumstances where timely and tailored support could reduce the risk of homelessness. Others had recently exited prison, emergency accommodation, detox centres, or supported housing, illustrating the complex transitions that require coordinated preventative measures to better support women at risk.

Services Accessed and Needed

Encouragingly, many women access multiple services, from homelessness organisations and drug and alcohol support to sex work support and health services. However, a strong gap remains between services accessed and those women want—especially housing and mental health support, along with financial advice and relationship or family support.

What Women Say They Need from Housing Services

Respondents consistently stressed that effective housing services must provide:

  • Permanent, stable homes rather than short-term, nightly stays.
  • Safe, clean spaces with female-only options for vulnerable women.
  • Trauma-informed, non-judgmental staff who offer consistent face-to-face support.
  • Accessible, inclusive services with clear guidance and follow-up, especially for those with multiple disadvantages.
  • Practical help with budgeting, bills, and independent living skills.
  • Flexibility and inclusion for women with pets or those facing local connection barriers.
  • Community connection that promotes belonging and supportive social interaction.

“Support for women who are vulnerable to make sure they are safe when in shared housing. Men are accessing houses where they shouldn’t be and making us feel unsafe. We are not listened to when we report it.” – a woman surveyed when asked what could be improved

The heartfelt stories shared reveal the human impact behind the statistics—from losing a beloved pet that helped with mental health, to struggling with physical pain on the streets and mental health challenges, to fleeing domestic violence. These voices remind us that homelessness isn’t just a lack of housing—it’s a crisis of safety, health, and dignity.

Insights from Frontline Workers

The Frontline Network reflections highlighted additional barriers: lack of trauma-informed training, fear of rejection, distrust of services, and systemic issues like strict temporary accommodation rules and lack of multi-agency coordination. Discussions were had around women who often walk at night to reduce potential risks, but face exhaustion. Mental health services are stretched thin, and prison release often comes without tailored support, increasing vulnerability.

The Path Forward

Leeds’ Women’s Rough Sleeping Census demonstrates real progress in understanding women’s unique experiences but also underlines persistent challenges. To truly address women’s rough sleeping, investment in gender-specific pathways, permanent housing, trauma-informed care, and consistent, compassionate support is essential.

This census is made possible by the dedication of organisations across Leeds—from Basis Yorkshire, Leeds Women’s Aid, St Anne’s, Change Grow Live, Barca, Simon on the streets, Bevan, Joanna Project, Forward Leeds, Turning Lives around, Leeds homeless charter, Together women, Leeds city council—who are committed to building a safer, more inclusive city for all women.

Annie Butterfield (annie.butterfield@basisyorkshire.org.uk) is the Housing and Influencing Change Worker at Basis Yorkshire and facilitates the Leeds Women’s Homelessness and Housing Frontline Network.

If you are a frontline worker and would like to access the regular Frontline Worker network meetings in Leeds, sign up for the mailing list to receive updates and be notified about future events.

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