“I have been in fear for my life and really stunned by the lack of housing for women… Having somewhere safe to sleep means life or death, it really does.” 

Women’s Census participant

Women’s experiences of rough sleeping involve high levels of violence and abuse, keeping out of sight and often avoiding sleeping visibly on the streets.

In London, practices and services aren’t accounting for the needs and safety of women: women are remaining homeless and are not being reached by services. The ways in which women often sleep rough have been overlooked for far too long, and there is an urgent need for a new approach.

That’s why in 2023, the Women’s Rough Sleeping Census team wrote a manifesto, outlining five steps that need immediate attention in relation to women’s rough sleeping.

1. Definition: Make London’s rough sleeping response configured around an understanding of how women experience rough sleeping. 
2. Data: All London local authorities must gather accurate and inclusive data on women’s rough sleeping.
3. Equity and Safety: London’s commissioned rough sleeping services and systems are equitable, accessible and safe for women.
4. Integration: Sectors supported and represented by departments in the GLA must integrate and develop cross-sector strategies, pathways and practices that help women experiencing rough sleeping to access housing and support as quickly as possible – no matter where in the system they present.
5. Prevention and Intervention: Ensure that women are provided with the information and resources they need so they don’t have to spend a night rough sleeping and can access safe services designed for their needs.

We then took this to key officials and policy makers in London ahead of the publication of the Mayor of London’s Rough Sleeping and Homelessness Action Plan – which was published May 2025 and saw several key policy wins.

• We have led ‘No Verification – No Wrong Door’ pilots in two boroughs, and recommended equitable and preventative alternatives in our London and National Manifestos for Change. We are therefore delighted that the Mayor’s Rough Sleeping Plan of Action has set a target to replace current verification practice by 2028
• Undertake a review of outreach provision in London in response to learnings from the Women’s Rough Sleeping Census ✅
• Add specialist capacity for routes off the streets to better meet the needs of individuals who face barriers due to their nationality, sexuality, age, gender or other characteristics ✅
• Ensuring the delivery of the Mayor’s Domestic Abuse Safe Accommodation Strategy and commissioned services are coordinated with implementation of the Plan of Action ✅
• Championing inclusive evidence gathering approaches including the Women’s Rough Sleeping Census. ✅

While the new Action Plan is a big step forward, the Women’s Rough Sleeping Census will continue to call on the Mayor to name and implement specific measures and services to address the needs of women, and better respond to the complex interrelation of VAWG and homelessness.

Find out more about the Women’s Rough Sleeping Census here

“There should be somewhere women can go to present. You don’t know who to go to and when you’re hidden homeless and not bedding down, people can’t find you.”

Women’s Census participant