New findings from the third national Women’s Rough Sleeping Census reveal that Government figures dramatically underestimate the number of women sleeping rough.
The National Women’s Census, launched in 2023, responds to the underrepresentation of women in traditional rough sleeping data across England. Using more accurate methods, it captures the hidden nature of women’s homelessness and the widespread impact of domestic abuse and violence on levels of homelessness. Unlike standard counts, it accounts for women sleeping in unsafe, hidden places such as parks or behind secluded buildings, or staying mobile at night to avoid harm – offering a clearer picture of their experiences across England.
The census recorded over ten times more women than the Government’s snapshot data. In Bristol it was twenty-three times more.
In England, findings show:
-1,014 women were recorded as rough sleeping in the 2024 Women’s Rough Sleeping Census, compared with 680 in the rough sleeping snapshot*
-1,777 women were recorded as rough sleeping in the Local Insights meetings**
Women who completed the census told the teams about their experiences: “I feel vulnerable. You have to rely on people who you can’t trust and don’t feel safe with. I don’t have the money to go into restaurants for shelter and have to put myself at risk and do things I don’t want to so I can get shelter for the night.
“To keep safe for a woman is more difficult. I have been raped by people while sleeping rough in a bank doorway. I now ensure I am with a male rough sleeper at all times. I believe this is the safest option, but it doesn’t mean I am safe.”
Laura Shovlin, Regional Head at St Mungo’s, said: “The numbers show there are significant amounts of women sleeping on the streets, with many more hidden from view meaning they are not included in official statistics. Rough sleeping is dangerous for everyone, but women on the streets – whether hidden or not – face frightening levels of sexual harassment, abuse and violence.
“There also needs to be enough women-only spaces where everyone can access specialist trauma-informed support for their physical and mental health needs. The Government must recognise women’s homelessness in its own right and fund it accordingly. The much-awaited homelessness strategy is a key opportunity to ensure that support for women affected by homelessness is delivered in a compassionate, appropriate way.”
Following the success of the collaboration in 2024, the Women’s Rough Sleeping Census is now set to take place annually, with St Mungo’s, The Nelson Trust, One25 and Shelter.
*This provides information, during a specific period, about the estimated number of people sleeping rough on a single night
**This is intel-based information, rather than counting. It widens the net to ensure women are not missed because they aren’t visibly rough sleeping.
