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A group of homeless women in the North East are advocating for more female-only services, citing fears and concerns about the ruthlessness and terror they face in mixed-sex hostels. According to one woman’s account, three men were fatally removed within the first week of her stay at a mixed-sex hostel in Sunderland. Shelter, a housing charity, reports a 425% increase in female rough sleepers in the region over the past five years, with many women shying away from shelters and street sleeping to avoid being included in official statistics.
To address the hidden crisis of homeless women, Tyneside councils will participate in the Women’s Rough Sleeping Census for the first time next week in an effort to accurately assess the scope of the problem. Jay, who faced challenges finding safe women-only accommodation, recounted her traumatic experience at a ruthless mixed-sex hostel in Sunderland that lacked proper resident background checks. For survivors of domestic abuse like Jay, the need for female-only housing is crucial to ensure safety and well-being.
Tracey Guy from Shelter North East highlights that many homeless women prefer risky situations like sleeping in cars or emergency units, or staying with abusers over seeking more traditional shelters due to fears of unsafe environments. To address the dearth of female-specific accommodation, Emmaus North East provides support to women dealing with trauma, domestic abuse, and sexual violence. The charity plans to open a new women-only facility in 2026, emphasizing the urgent need for specialized housing for vulnerable women.
Local authorities in the North East predominantly offer mixed-sex hostel beds, with some lacking female-only options entirely. The Women’s Rough Sleeping Census, conducted between September 22 and 28, aims to provide a clearer picture of the homeless crisis among women. By incorporating Newcastle City Council for the first time, officials hope to use the data to enhance services and secure more funding to support homeless women. The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government commits to investing £1 billion in essential services to assist women in need, marking a critical step towards ending homelessness for all
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