On International Women’s Day we want to raise awareness of female homelessness and highlight the number of women that Emmaus UK has helped during 2020. As a charity that supports those who have formerly experienced homelessness, we see first-hand the devastating impact that homelessness and social exclusion has on women.
During the period January 2020 to December 2020 Emmaus UK supported 135 women within its communities, a decrease from 202 females supported during the same period in 2019.
Out of the total number of people Emmaus UK supported during 2020, 8% were women, a fall from 13.2% in 2019.
According to the latest rough sleeping figures published by the Office of National Statistics, 377 women were sleeping rough across England on any given night in autumn 2020, a decrease from 614 in autumn 2019, and 14% of the total count. The reduction is thought to be a result of a concerted effort to reduce homelessness and the extra provision put in place under the ‘Everyone In’ initiative, which has provided safe, emergency accommodation and ongoing support for those sleeping rough, as well as others at risk of doing so.
Women’s experience of homelessness tends to be different to men’s as their needs are more likely to be complex. At Emmaus Colchester we welcome women into our community and work closely with our female companions to provide them with the support that they need.