Women’s Rough Sleeping Manifesto for Change

“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.

The London Mayor is currently writing a new Rough Sleeping Plan of Action. This is an important opportunity to ensure that the needs of women are considered and met within London’s future provision and approach.

The Women’s Rough Sleeping Census team have written a manifesto for change, proposing five key steps for tackling women’s rough sleeping in the Mayor’s new Rough Sleeping Plan of Action for London.

Manifesto for change: tackling women’s rough sleeping in the Mayor’s London Plan of Action 

Solace and Single Homeless Project have worked with a vast range of organisations to deliver the Women’s Rough Sleeping Census for three years in a row, hearing from almost 1000 women in London alone about their experiences of how, when and where they rough sleep.

Using this vital evidence from women and practitioners, the Women’s Rough Sleeping Census team have written a manifesto, outlining five steps that need immediate attention in relation to women’s rough sleeping.

We ask that the new London Rough Sleeping Plan of Action addresses these 5 key areas:

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.

For further information, take a look at the 2023 National Women’s Rough Sleeping Census Report and hear the words of women who responded to the 2023 census.

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