Homeless women are being let down at a national and local level, according to the findings of a new report from charity St Mungo's Broadway.
The Rebuilding Shattered Lives report outlines current problems experienced by homeless women such as separation from children, mental and physical ill health, and involvement in prostitution often stemming from trauma following violence and abuse.
The charity is making ten recommendations including for every local authority to identify a senior member of staff to lead on women and homelessness. It also wants local authorities to ensure organisations that come into contact with vulnerable women recognise the risks of homelessness and are equipped to provide or signpost to preventative support.
Howard Sinclair, chief executive of St Mungo's Broadway, said: 'There are multiple and complex reasons why women become homeless so it's important to share the findings of our report with ministers from right across Government.
'There is much good practice out there, but as this report shows, we also need new approaches. We have to get this right and we welcome the opportunity to demonstrate to ministers that national Government has a crucial role to play.'
The charity said women account for 26% of those who accessed homelessness services in 2013, and 79% of its female clients are mothers who have had their children taken into care or adopted. Half of its female clients have experienced domestic abuse and 19% had experienced abuse as a child.
