The Women’s Rough Sleeping Census 2025 revealed a stark reality: women experiencing homelessness are still being missed.
Led by Single Homeless Project and Solace, alongside Crisis and Change Grow Live, the census found that in some areas there were up to ten times more women sleeping rough than official government snapshot counts identified.
The findings highlight how many women take measures to stay safe and avoid violence, exploitation, and sexual assault, often sleeping in places that are excluded from official counts, including public transport, A&E waiting rooms, or by staying awake throughout the night.
Key findings included:
▪️ 65% had slept in places not captured by official counts
▪️ 49% had walked all night to avoid sleeping visibly
▪️ 27% had stayed with strangers or new acquaintances
▪️ 38% were not receiving support from a housing officer or homelessness organisation
▪️ In six local authority areas, official counts recorded zero women, while the Census identified 162 women sleeping rough
These findings reinforce the need for gender-informed approaches to understanding and tackling homelessness.
The 2026 Census is taking place Monday 21st September – Sunday 27th September.
It Takes A City will be facilitating a collaborative effort with partner organisations to ensure that the 2026 Women’s Rough Sleeping Census reaches and records as many women in Cambridge as possible.
By working alongside local partners, services, and community organisations, we aim to build a more accurate picture of women’s experiences and ensure that those who are often hidden are seen, heard, and supported.
You can’t solve what you can’t see. Together, we can help make hidden homelessness visible.
If you would like to volunteer to support the census, please complete this short form.
Contact Claire on 07342447011, email claire@itac.org.uk if you have any questions.
