Ending Hidden Homelessness Among Women

The Women's Institute Campaign

For more than a century, the Women's Institute has demonstrated the power of women coming together to create change. Since our first national resolution in 1918, which called for better housing for women and families, WI members have campaigned on issues that matter to women, their families and communities.

Today, we are tackling one of the greatest social injustices facing women and girls: hidden homelessness.

Homelessness is not always visible. While many people think of rough sleeping when they hear the word "homelessness", women's experiences are often hidden. Women may be sofa surfing, living in temporary accommodation, staying in unsafe housing, or remaining in abusive relationships because they have nowhere else to go.

Domestic abuse is one of the leading causes of women's homelessness, alongside poverty, rising housing costs, poor mental health and insecure employment. Too often, women are forced to leave their homes while perpetrators remain.

This must change.

The Scale of the Challenge

• 382,618 people are estimated to be homeless in England.
• 175,025 children are experiencing homelessness.
• 134,210 households are living in temporary accommodation in England.
• More than 176,000 children are living in temporary accommodation.
• Domestic abuse accounts for 15.9% of homelessness relief cases.
• 65% of women surveyed in the Women's Rough Sleeping Census had slept in places excluded from official counts or stayed awake through the night to avoid detection.
• Councils spend £2.84 billion each year on temporary accommodation.

Behind every statistic is a woman, child or family experiencing instability, insecurity and trauma.

Why Women's Homelessness Is Different

Women's homelessness is often hidden from official statistics because many women take steps to stay out of sight for safety reasons.

Women experiencing homelessness are more likely to:

• Sleep in unsafe locations that are not captured by official counts.
• Stay with strangers or acquaintances.
• Remain in abusive relationships to avoid homelessness.
• Move between temporary and insecure accommodation.
• Go without support from homelessness services.

As a result, many women remain invisible within the current system.

Our Three Campaign Asks

1. Keep Her Home

The perpetrator leaves. The victim stays.

We want to change the default response to domestic abuse so that, wherever it is safe to do so, women and children can remain in their homes while perpetrators are removed.

No woman should become homeless because someone else's violence forced her to flee.

2. Keep Her Safe

A Women's Safe Home Guarantee.

Every survivor should receive practical support to remain safe and secure, including:

• Home security improvements and lock changes.
• Housing and tenancy advice.
• Financial and legal support.
• Access to specialist domestic abuse services.
• A named support worker to coordinate help.

Domestic Abuse Protection Orders (DAPOs) provide an important foundation by allowing perpetrators to be removed from the home. However, survivors also need the practical support required to rebuild their lives safely.

3. Count Her. Prevent It.

Make hidden homelessness visible.

Women who avoid visible rough sleeping are often excluded from official homelessness data.

The WI is calling for:

• Mandatory participation in the Women's Rough Sleeping Census.
• Better gender-informed data collection.
• Improved measurement of homelessness prevention, not just homelessness crisis.

If women are not counted, their needs cannot be properly understood or addressed.

The 5,000 Conversations Challenge

One conversation could change a life. Imagine 5,000.

As part of the No Woman Without a Home campaign, every WI is encouraged to host at least one community event focused on women's homelessness.

Events could include:

• Guest speakers.
• Community discussions.
• Panel events.
• Coffee mornings.
• Film screenings.
• Awareness activities.

By opening our doors to local communities, charities, housing providers, councillors, MPs, Members of the Senedd and people with lived experience, we can build understanding and inspire action.

Together we aim to create:

• 5,000 conversations across England, Wales and the Islands.
• Greater awareness of hidden homelessness.
• Stronger partnerships with local charities and support organisations.
• Increased engagement with decision-makers.
• Meaningful change for women and girls at risk of homelessness.

How WIs Can Get Involved

• Write to MPs, councillors and Members of the Senedd.
• Support the Women's Rough Sleeping Census.
• Sign the petition (launching on November 16^th)
• Invite local homelessness and domestic abuse charities to speak.
• Hold community awareness events.
• Fundraise for local organisations supporting women experiencing homelessness.
• Share local stories and examples of good practice.
• Help raise awareness of support services available in your area.

Our Vision

We want a future where no woman becomes homeless because she is fleeing abuse.

Success means:

• Women can remain safely in their homes wherever possible.
• Hidden homelessness is recognised and measured, by every local authority.
• Every survivor receives coordinated support.
• Government policy reflects the reality of women's experiences.
• No woman has to choose between violence and homelessness.

Together, WI members can make women's homelessness visible, influence change and help create a future where no woman is left without a home.