William Eichler 08 March 2023

Women’s rough sleeping often ‘hidden’, council chiefs say

Women’s rough sleeping often ‘hidden’, council chiefs say image
Image: Rawpixel.com/Shutterbox.com.

Local authority leaders in London have called on the Government to take action to address ‘systemic inequalities’ creating barriers to women accessing support and housing.

Launching on 9 March, a new report supported by London Councils and the GLA sets out the key findings and learnings from a first-of-its-kind census of women sleeping rough in London.

The census, entitled Making Women Count and written by social research consultancy Praxis Collab, found 154 women rough sleeping in London in a week.

The report says that women’s rough sleeping is often ‘transient, intermittent and hidden’, and so is often missing from official statistics. This means that homeless women find is hard to access support and housing.

Experiences of violence and abuse are ‘near universal’ for women who sleep rough, according to the study.

The average age of death is just 43 years old for women, even younger than their male counterparts (45). This means women experiencing homelessness are living just half as long as most women in the UK where the most common age of death for women is 89.

The report says that local authorities should be required to deliver an annual Women’s Rough Sleeping Census and report on their findings.

It also urges the Government to produce guidance to help local authorities to improve access to rough sleeping services for women.

Michelle Binfield, London Councils’ rough sleeping programme director, said: ‘Rough sleeping is particularly dangerous for women. The census is a vital tool for helping us understand the scale of the challenge and for targeting resources for successful prevention and front-line support work.’

SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Head of Democratic Services, Elections & Monitoring Officer

Harborough District Council
Grade 12 £67,236 – £71,223 plus £3000pa Statutory Officer Allowance
We are looking for an accomplished and proactive leader for our vacant post of Head of Democratic Services & Elections Market Harborough, Leicestershire
Recuriter: Harborough District Council

Social Worker

Durham County Council
£35,412 - £39,152 (pre-progression) / £40,777 - £45,091 (post-progression)
We are looking for social workers who have completed the assessed and supported year in employment to join our Families First teams, working with our Durham
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Social Worker

Durham County Council
Grade 9 £35,412 - £39,152 (Pre-Progression) / Grade 11 £40,777 - £45,091 (Post-Progression)
Are you a nurturing social worker passionate about supporting parents so that children can remain with their birth family?     This could be the right Durham
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Administrative Officer

Durham County Council
Grade 4 £25,583 - £26,824
An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Administrative Officer to join our busy, friendly team, supporting Children and Young People’s Services. 1 x Spennymoor
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Lunchtime Play Worker

Durham County Council
£24,796 pro rata
Lunchtime Play Worker Grade 1 £24,796 pro rata Part Time - 6.25 hour per week, Monday – Friday
Recuriter: Durham County Council
Linkedin Banner