Charity shocked and saddened at number of women sleeping rough
A new census is revealing the true state of homelessness among women
A charity supporting rough sleepers across Wiltshire says it's shocked by new data revealing the scope of female homelessness.
A new census by Solace Women's Aid, the Single Homeless Project, and local authorities found almost 1,500 women had slept rough in the last three months.
It's almost double the figure recorded in the Government's rough sleeping snapshot, which captured 733 women sleeping rough on any given night last Autumn.
Salisbury-based Alabaré says it reflects the situation within its services, further raising the issue of hidden homelessness. In these circumstances, people are often bedding down in unsuitable places, such as their cars, sheds, or in plain sight by using public transport. They can be found in offices and gyms too as they hope to be able to use the facilities there, as well as find shelter.
Half of the charity's clients over the last year have been women, with 1,628 supported across the South West and Wales.
Naomi Webb, Director of Operations at ALABARÉ, said: “These new figures showing the number of women who are faced w ith sleeping rough are disturbing, but actually more closely reflect the true reality of the situation we’re seeing throughout the support offered by ALABARÉ.
“We know that homelessness can happen to anyone, regardless of gender, race, or economic background, and we’re here to support those who need it. We’re also conscious of the Government’s target to halve homelessness by the end of this Parliament, so we believe it’s vitally important that the scale of the issue is made clear, to ensure the right efforts are made to help more people out of a critical situation.”
Ange's story
42-year-old Ange has been living at Alabaré Place in Salisbury, one of the charity's supported living locations, for the last two years.
She revealed the anxiety of being on the streets as a woman: “You’re keeping one eye open, so not really sleeping properly, just cat napping, which also encouraged me to drink a lot at the time, and then I would end up drinking just to go to sleep.”
Ange said that she found herself living in a tent on three occasions. But during times she would leave to get food and supplies, she'd return to find her belongings had been set on fire.
She said there were incidents where men, who were often under the influence of alcohol, would be aggressive towards, with passers-by helping to chase people away from her.
As well as supported living, the charity offers drop-in services at Alabaré Place in Salisbury and Unity House in Chippenham, allowing people at risk of homelessness to access hot meals, showers, laundry facilities and emergency bedspaces.
From there, working with the local authority, the charity can find more permanent solutions and support people to break the cycle of homelessness.