Women’s homelessness: the stats

Statistics only tell part of the story. But knowing the facts about women’s homelessness, we can understand the unique challenges that women face and ensure they get the right support. Every woman deserves a place to call home.

74% of women experiencing homelessness have a physical health issue.

Homelessness is brutal. It can worsen existing physical conditions and give rise to new ones. For people experiencing homelessness, accessing healthcare is often out of reach. This is due to a lack of resources, transportation, or fear of being judged. But these struggles don’t just begin when someone ends up homeless. The constant uncertainty faced by women at risk of homelessness or in unfit housing can severely harm their health.

The lack of support available can set off a dangerous cycle where minor, manageable health issues can spiral into severe, long-lasting problems. As physical health deteriorates, the challenge of escaping homelessness becomes more daunting. For many women, this cycle feels inescapable.

65% of Londoners in temporary accommodation are women.

Women make up a shocking 60% of homeless adults in temporary accommodation in England despite being just half of the population. In London, the situation is even more damning—65% of homeless adults in temporary accommodation are women. These figures are part of a growing trend. The number of women forced into temporary accommodation has almost doubled in the last decade.

These facts highlight the everyday reality of homelessness for women. Hidden from the eye of the public, yet suffering every day from a lack of support, escaping abusive relationships, or balancing the weight of family responsibilities. As the crisis continues, more women are finding themselves caught in a system with no clear way out.

64% of women experiencing homelessness also face mental health issues.

Homelessness isn’t just a housing issue; it’s often tied to deeper struggles. Many of the women we work with have lived through the unthinkable. They have suffered abuse, violence, and crises, like having a child taken away—events that shape their mental health for life. For some, these mental health issues existed before homelessness. For others, the trauma, instability, and isolation that come with homelessness trigger new mental health challenges.

These struggles can spiral out of control without a roof overhead and the right support to rebuild and recover. Too often, women are left feeling isolated and vulnerable, forced to confront emotional weight alone.

43: The average age of death for women experiencing homelessness.

The average age of death for women experiencing homelessness in the UK is a heartbreaking 43 years old—almost half the life expectancy for women in the general population, which is 83. This upsetting number highlights the harsh reality that homeless women face every day. Living without the fundamental right to shelter means constant exposure to the elements, a lack of healthcare, and relentless stress. Forty-three is not just a statistic; it represents every woman who lost her life too soon.

One in 38 lone mothers in England are homeless.

One in every 38 lone mothers in England faces homelessness, making them among the hardest hit by this crisis. Nearly a third are either in rent arrears or teetering on the edge of losing their homes, yet many don’t seek help—a fear that reaching out for support will lead to their children being taken away. This heart-wrenching choice forces mothers into an impossible situation, trying to protect their children while silently struggling to survive.

15% of recorded rough sleepers are women, but that’s just the tip of the iceberg…

Government statistics show that 15% of people rough sleeping are women nationwide and 16% in London. But we know this number is dangerously wrong and paints an untrue reality for women who are homeless. Women are often hidden from the dangers of the street and the support networks there to help them. This means traditional recording methods underestimate the number of women sleeping on the street.

We know this because we’ve led the first-ever and second London Women’s Rough Sleeping Census for the last two years with a coalition of women’s and homelessness organisations and local authorities. Our 2023 census found that as many as nine times more women could be sleeping on England’s streets than the Government’s rough sleeping count suggests. By recognising the full extent of women’s rough sleeping, we can make sure every woman gets the support they need and deserve.

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We’re leading the charge to tackle women’s homelessness and are dedicated to helping women overcome their unique challenges. Our work supports them in rebuilding their lives while driving policy change to ensure no woman is left without the help she needs.

Our third Women’s Rough Sleeping Census is underway, with more local authorities joining every year. This helps expand our impact beyond London, uncovering the full scope of women’s homelessness: where and when they sleep and what they experience and need to escape homelessness for good. We’re also growing our five women-only services, ensuring women can access safe spaces and tailored support.

No woman should have to hide. Every woman deserves to be treated with dignity, seen, heard, and protected from harm.

Click here to learn more about our women’s homelessness work.