Women often have a very different experience of homelessness from men, mainly because they represent a minority and a vulnerable group in the homeless population. Homelessness services such as shelters are often modelled around the needs of men, failing to address women’s diverse needs. Think for example of how difficult it is for homeless women to take care of themselves on the streets during their menstrual cycle. Women are also likely to be accompanied by or reunited with their children, so the Housing First service hosting them should provide an environment where the whole family can live together.

Women are very often victims or violence or abuse. They might be homeless because they are fleeing a violent partner, or because someone has taken the rent money from them. They may face further abuse on the streets, since they are a minority and a more vulnerable group than homeless men. Some may be accompanied by children, and therefore need a safe space to use as a base to get back on their feet. Housing First provides safe, affordable and independent housing as well as support services to help women gain back control over their lives.

Women joining a Housing First service might have complex and specific needs, e.g., mental health issues and addictions, exacerbated by their experience of GBV, exploitation, or abuse. As a consequence, these women might bring considerable baggage of trauma with them and they may struggle to feel engaged in support and to build trust with care workers. Pre-engagement work is especially important, as these women need to take the time to build relationships with (and gain trust of) the people around them. Patience, sensitivity to trauma and being non-judgmental of their life experiences is key to a successful relationship.

Women experience homelessness differently than men, mainly because of their different needs (they are more likely to be accompanied by children) and pathways into homelessness (GBV, domestic violence, abuse, etc.). A gendered approach to homelessness should be employed when housing women in a Housing First service. This might translate for example into training workers in domestic abuse and sexual violence support, or complex trauma-informed care. This would allow service workers to better relate to the women they assist, and help them build strong relationships based on trust.