Hidden Homeless Scandal Reveals Double The Number Of Women Sleeping Rough

A recent charity census has unveiled a shocking discrepancy in the number of women sleeping rough in England, revealing that the actual figures may be nearly double those reported by the government. Conducted by the Single Homeless Project and Solace Women's Aid , the census highlights the hidden nature of female homelessness, with many women opting to stay out of sight for safety reasons.

Key Takeaways

• The census found over 1,000 women sleeping rough, significantly higher than the government’s estimate of 568.
• Women are often less visible on the streets, leading to underreporting in official statistics.
• The average age of death for homeless women is just 43, highlighting the severity of the crisis.

The Hidden Crisis

The findings from the week-long census conducted at the end of September across 65 local authorities in England revealed that 1,014 women had experienced rough sleeping in the three months leading up to the survey. This marks a 24% increase from the previous year, where 815 women were recorded. The government’s most recent snapshot, however, reported only 568 women sleeping rough on a single night, indicating a significant undercount.

Gender Bias In Reporting

Research indicates that the government’s methodology for counting rough sleepers is inherently biased towards men. Women tend to avoid sleeping in public spaces due to safety concerns, often opting for hidden locations such as A&E waiting rooms, on public transport, or with strangers. This behaviour contributes to their underrepresentation in official statistics.

The Impact of Domestic Abuse

Many women experiencing homelessness have a history of domestic abuse, trauma, and mental health issues. The census findings suggest that women are more likely to flee unsafe accommodation, such as mixed hostels, where they face a higher risk of violence. The report calls for a gender-informed approach to homelessness policies, emphasising the need for safe, single-sex accommodation options.

Urgent Need For Policy Reform

The coalition behind the census has urged the government to reform its approach to homelessness data collection and support services. Key recommendations include:

• Implementing gender-informed policies that address the unique challenges faced by homeless women.
• Conducting equalities impact assessments on all data related to rough sleeping.
• Increasing funding for women-specific homelessness services.

Conclusion

The hidden homeless scandal reveals a pressing need for society to acknowledge and address the unique challenges faced by women sleeping rough. With the number of women experiencing homelessness likely to be significantly higher than official figures suggest, it is crucial for policymakers to take immediate action to ensure that all individuals receive the support they need to escape the cycle of homelessness.

Sources

• Hidden homeless scandal as nearly double number of women sleep rough than official stats - Mirror Online, The Mirror.
• Inside Housing - News - Up to nine times more women sleeping rough than government statistics say, research suggests, Inside Housing.
• More women rough sleeping, says ‘upsetting’ report on crisis | Camden New Journal, Camden New Journal.
• Number of homeless women much, much higher than people think, Big Issue.
• Government accused of neglecting women rough sleepers by dramatically undercounting them | The Independent, The Independent.