'No Fixed Abode': Women and Homelessness in London

Information and research about homeless women is limited. Around 90% of rough sleepers are male, and women often remain invisible as part of the ‘hidden homeless’ population. Bringing together academic researchers, policy makers and practitioners, this seminar will address the causes and implications of homelessness for women in London today, and the extent to which the needs of homeless women are being met by the statutory and voluntary sectors.

Homeless women are generally classified into three main groups. Firstly some have children or are vulnerable and have been accepted as homeless and in priority housing need. These women are classified as 'statutory homeless'. The second group are those who sleep on the streets or stay in hostels and are among the single homeless population. According to Crisis, 10-25% of single homeless people on the streets and in hostels are women (www.crisis.org.uk), of whom 1 in 4 young women living in hostels is pregnant. The third group are the 'hidden homeless,' many of whom are women who stay with relatives or friends.

Domestic violence and relationship breakdown are common pathways into homelessness for women. A recent report by Crisis found that 63% of homeless women aged between 30-49 said that domestic abuse was the key reason that they had lost their homes. Other triggers that lead to homelessness include breakdown of childhood homes or leaving local authority care, leaving prison and mental health problems.

Some homelessness organisations have recently developed facilities targeting the needs of homeless women. But as a large proportion of single homeless people are men, services such as hostels and day centres often do not address women’s needs, particularly the needs of women from black and minority ethnic backgrounds and women with disabilities.

The seminar has the following main aims:

1. To redress the invisibility of ‘hidden homeless’ women in London.
2. To investigate the causes and implications of women’s homelessness.
3. To explore the everyday experiences of homeless women.
4. To consider strategic initiatives for meeting the needs of homeless women.
5. To assess the extent to which different organisations and agencies are meeting the needs of homeless women.