First ever Women's Rough Sleeping Census in Gateshead launched
Gateshead Council is to carry out its first ever women's rough sleeping census, joining a national effort to uncover the hidden reality of women's homelessness.
While official Government figures suggest relatively few women sleep rough, research and local experience tell a different story. In 2024, the Government's annual snapshot counted 680 women across England. Yet last year's Women's Rough Sleeping Census, covering just 88 local areas, recorded over 1,000 women.
This disparity in official statistics reflects the fact that women are often missed when the formal counts take place. To stay safe, many avoid sleeping in visible places, instead spending nights in A&E waiting rooms, on buses or trains, in squats, or walking around until morning. They also tend to move locations more regularly for safety reasons.
At September's meeting of the full council, councillors voted to carry out the census, which will be done in partnership with Oasis Community Housing. The motion also resolved to use the findings to inform the council's homelessness strategy and work with partners to raise public awareness of the unique challenges faced by women who are sleeping rough.
Pamela Burns, Vice Chair of Gateshead Council's Women and Girls Committee, said:
"Women experiencing homelessness are some of the most vulnerable people in our communities, yet their experiences are too often overlooked in official data. This census is an important step towards changing that. Gateshead is proud to be taking a leading role regionally in shining a light on the hidden and high-risk realities of women's homelessness, and in strengthening the support available to those affected."
The census will run over one week and will include surveys conducted with women by people who have lived experience of homelessness. Local services will also work together to share anonymised data, giving a clearer picture of women's experiences in Gateshead.
The results will be used to inform future support and services for women who are homeless or at risk. Gateshead Council already invests in female-only accommodation, 'housing first' support, and expanded safe accommodation for women escaping domestic abuse - measures which will be further strengthened by the new insights the census provides.
If you or someone you know is experiencing issues relating to homelessness, please visit our website for information on what support is available.
Gateshead Council is to carry out its first ever women's rough sleeping census, joining a national effort to uncover the hidden reality of women's homelessness.
While official Government figures suggest relatively few women sleep rough, research and local experience tell a different story. In 2024, the Government's annual snapshot counted 680 women across England. Yet last year's Women's Rough Sleeping Census, covering just 88 local areas, recorded over 1,000 women.
This disparity in official statistics reflects the fact that women are often missed when the formal counts take place. To stay safe, many avoid sleeping in visible places, instead spending nights in A&E waiting rooms, on buses or trains, in squats, or walking around until morning. They also tend to move locations more regularly for safety reasons.
At September's meeting of the full council, councillors voted to carry out the census, which will be done in partnership with Oasis Community Housing. The motion also resolved to use the findings to inform the council's homelessness strategy and work with partners to raise public awareness of the unique challenges faced by women who are sleeping rough.
Pamela Burns, Vice Chair of Gateshead Council's Women and Girls Committee, said:
"Women experiencing homelessness are some of the most vulnerable people in our communities, yet their experiences are too often overlooked in official data. This census is an important step towards changing that. Gateshead is proud to be taking a leading role regionally in shining a light on the hidden and high-risk realities of women's homelessness, and in strengthening the support available to those affected."
The census will run over one week and will include surveys conducted with women by people who have lived experience of homelessness. Local services will also work together to share anonymised data, giving a clearer picture of women's experiences in Gateshead.
The results will be used to inform future support and services for women who are homeless or at risk. Gateshead Council already invests in female-only accommodation, 'housing first' support, and expanded safe accommodation for women escaping domestic abuse - measures which will be further strengthened by the new insights the census provides.
If you or someone you know is experiencing issues relating to homelessness, please visit our website for information on what support is available.
