Hidden homeless women are being missed from official figures, charities warn

Hidden Homeless Women Are Being Missed from Official Figures, Charities Warn

Hidden homeless women are being missed - A recent census of female rough sleepers in England has revealed a significant gap between official statistics and the real extent of homelessness among women. Charities Solace Women's Aid and the Single Homeless Project conducted the survey, which found that 1,406 women had slept on the streets in the three months prior, a figure much higher than the government's snapshot of 733 women on a single night. This discrepancy highlights how many women remain undetected in traditional counting methods.

Living Under the Radar

Victoria, a 31-year-old woman, spent three years navigating London’s streets without being recognized as homeless. "People didn’t think I belonged to the rough sleeper group," she explains. "I didn’t drink or take drugs, and my appearance made it harder for others to believe I was without a home." Her struggles were compounded by mental health challenges, which worsened as she lived on the streets. "I had to carry my belongings everywhere, and King’s Cross was dangerous for thieves," she says. "Even trying to sleep in toilets meant being chased out by staff."

"Passing myself off as a regular passenger helped me stay hidden," Victoria adds. "The station’s busy environment and security cameras gave me a false sense of safety, even as I faced harassment from men who assumed I was vulnerable."

Outreach Workers Spot Hidden Struggles

Homeless outreach workers Eabha and Elise have encountered women in surprising places, such as parks and A&E departments. "They can be tucked away behind bushes or on night buses," Elise notes. Eabha highlights that some women sleep in areas where they feel less likely to be noticed. "Spaces like emergency rooms become temporary shelters, as long as they’re not moved out," she says.

The census, which involved collaboration with 33 London councils and 68 others across England, covered a third of all local authorities. It identified 162 female rough sleepers in regions where the government recorded zero. "Women are less likely to be seen sleeping on the streets," says Lucy Campbell from the Single Homeless Project. "That’s how they access support and services, but once missed, it’s harder to reach them."

Challenges in Defining Rough Sleepers

Charities argue that the government’s current definition—focusing on people sleeping in open spaces or unapproved buildings on a single night—fails to capture the full scope of female homelessness. By broadening the search to include more locations and relying on local knowledge, the survey painted a clearer picture. "Two-thirds of the women in our census wouldn’t have been counted by official methods," Rebecca Goshawk from Solace Women's Aid states. "This shows the system is not meeting their needs."

Domestic abuse is cited as the primary cause of women’s homelessness, according to the charities. "If ministers don’t understand the scale of the issue, they can’t address it," says Goshawk. "The government’s goal to halve long-term rough sleeping by the end of Parliament depends on accurate data and a revised definition that reflects women’s unique experiences."

Government Response

Homelessness Minister Alison McGovern acknowledged the issue, telling the BBC: "No one should have to endure rough sleeping, and women’s experiences are distinct." She emphasized the government’s efforts, including £3.6 billion in funding and partnerships with councils to provide suitable accommodation. However, charities stress that these measures won’t suffice unless the definition of rough sleeping is adjusted to include the hidden realities faced by women.