Homeless charity says more needs to be done to support women
A homeless charity in the South West says a lot of women who rough sleep go unnoticed.
Last updated 3rd Jul 2025
New figures from the third national Women’s Rough Sleeping Census found that the number of women who are rough sleepings is massively under reported.
The census which is conducted across 88 local authorities, uses more thorough and accurate ways to count women sleeping rough.
It recorded over ten times more women rough sleeping than the Government’s data.
Many of the locations where women spend the night are not classified as ‘rough sleeping’ in the Government’s snapshot counts.
These include A&E departments, libraries, or public transport.
This means over half of women reported sleeping rough in these types of public spaces would not have been included in official data collection and therefore unlikely to receive support from outreach teams.
Julian House, a charity that operates in Gloucestershire, Bath and North East Somerset, Devon, Dorset, Hampshire and Wiltshire says women who rough sleep can be more vulnerable on the streets due to gender-based violence.
Zoe Conn from the charity said: “They’ll often be hidden from view, they won’t be sleeping out in the stereotypical way.
“They might even be deliberately staying awake throughout the night because that’s the most dangerous time for them in 24-hour open spaces.”
She added “Everyone who is rough sleeping is vulnerable, but women are inherently more vulnerable to gender-based violence, sexual assault or harassment.
“To being put in positions where they are forced to make a decision between having sex or shelter.
“Lots of women who are rough sleeping will also have a history of gender-based violence.”
An MHCLG spokesperson said:
“We inherited devastating levels of homelessness and rough sleeping and know women can be particularly affected, including those who are victims of violence and abuse.
"That’s why we are taking urgent and decisive action to end homelessness, by providing £1 billion for crucial homelessness services this year so councils can support people faster.”