Why understanding women’s experiences of homelessness must start with safety, dignity and a place to truly belong.
Our Women's Lead Hannah discusses the importance of the 2026 Women's Rough Sleeping Census, and what considerations need to be made.

Over the last couple of weeks, we’ve been speaking with colleagues who work across a range of women’s services as they prepared to take part in the 2026 Women’s Rough Sleeping Census.

For those who haven’t come across it before, the Women’s Rough Sleeping Census takes place over a week towards the end of September. During this time, women are invited to complete surveys to help build a better understanding of their experiences of homelessness and rough sleeping.

We know that women’s homelessness is frequently underreported and misunderstood. Last year’s Census, for example, found that in some areas there were as many as ten times more women sleeping rough than were reflected in official government counts.

So why are women missing from the official figures?

Partly because women experiencing homelessness often sleep in places that aren’t included in standard rough sleeping counts, such as on buses or in A&E waiting rooms. The Census has also highlighted the lengths some women will go to in order to stay safe, including remaining awake throughout the night to avoid violence, harassment and sexual assault.

When we talk about women’s housing needs, the conversation so often comes back to one fundamental issue: safety. It is a basic need, but one that we should all be striving to protect.

In our planning for Hope and Vision’s Women’s Community in Gloucester, we have talked a great deal about psychological safety. We are creating an environment that recognises and responds to women’s previous experiences of trauma and exposure to violence.

Physical safety should be a given.

Yet, for many women elsewhere along the homelessness journey, it simply isn’t. The harsh reality is that a woman’s safety cannot always be assumed once she has left the street. Many women continue to face violence, harassment and exploitation within hostels and temporary accommodation.

Tackling homelessness in the UK can, at times, feel like an insurmountable challenge. At Hope and Vision Communities, we recognise the vital role our charity has to play in addressing it.

We don’t simply provide long-term accommodation for people in recovery. We provide homes and, crucially, a sense of community and belonging.

Over the past three years, more than half of those leaving Hope & Vision Communities have moved into their own independent accommodation as they continue to rebuild their lives in recovery. As we look ahead to opening our Women’s Community, we hope to see even more people move on in a positive way, while ensuring that the women we support have not only a safe place to live, but a place they can truly call home.

The 2026 Census survey took place from 21/9-27/9 across an estimated 115 local authorities. For participating areas, local insight meetings will now take part across October.