Today is both World Homeless Day and World Mental Health Day – this shared date highlights how these issues are intersectional, and we should be talking about them together. Poor mental health can be both a cause and a result of homelessness. The Women in Safe Homes fund is dedicated to supporting women in housing crisis, the majority of whom are either leaving prison or escaping domestic violence. Many of these women are also experiencing poor mental health as a result of their trauma whilst also experiencing homelessness. 

53% of women who have mental health problems have also experienced abuse. The link between physical and sexual violence, trauma and PTSD is clear from recent research.[1] Out of the 183 women housed by the Women in Safe Homes fund so far, 68% of them reported that they were experiencing mental ill health. This could be due to a variety of intersecting factors that cause trauma and poor mental health – these women are escaping domestic violence, leaving prison with no home to go to, have experienced abuse, and often with no support systems surrounding them. 68% of these women are domestic abuse survivors, 44% of these women are prison leavers, and 37% are dealing with drug and alcohol misuse. These issues intersect, often resulting in poor mental health for the woman.   

After moving into their new home, 83% of the women housed by the fund reported improved mental health. Feelings of safety, security, feeling supported and being empowered to plan for their future all contribute to this. Several housing partners, including Safer Places and Refuge, predominantly provide crisis refuge accommodation and support to women in high-risk situations who are likely to present with poor mental health and experiences of trauma related to domestic violence and other forms of VAWG. 

Many of the women housed by the fund are experiencing better mental health since receiving support:  

Amara*, who experienced physical and emotional abuse from her ex-husband, is now being supported in a home provided by one of the fund’s housing partners, Safer Places. “It was welcoming as soon as I walked through the front door. It felt homely. It has given me freedom and safety. There has not been any pressure on me, so I have been able to take time in thinking about options that are available to me. I have had weekly support sessions and have worked on my mental health with their support.” 

Elsa* and her son were experiencing an abusive environment from her ex-husband, which was drastically affecting her mental health, leaving her isolated without a support network. “I became low, depressed and trapped in the marriage. I had no family or friends who could support me. I finally built up the courage to report the abuse to the police and fled to a refuge.” Elsa is now housed and supported by Daizybell, one of the fund’s expert housing partners, who provide both practical and emotional support. Elsa’s mental health is improving thanks to the mental health support available: “My emotional and mental health has greatly improved and I feel safe and protected. It makes me happy and I feel at peace knowing I am safe. I have lots of help and support from my Domestic Abuse Worker and Housing Support Worker who are supporting me and got me in touch with other services including counselling. [My worker] advocates on my behalf and offers me one-to- one emotional support.” 

Across the fund and its housing partners, mental health is recognised as a key factor in these women’s experiences with homelessness. Improving mental health is often possible once a safe, secure home is provided – something that the fund and its partners are proud to do.  

About the Women in Safe Homes fund 

The Women in Safe Homes fund is a gender-lens impact investment property fund helping address the housing crisis for women escaping domestic abuse, leaving the criminal justice system without a home to go to and at risk of or experiencing homelessness. It was launched in December 2020 as a joint venture of Resonance and Patron Capital because there is a chronic shortage of safe, decent and affordable housing for women at risk of and experiencing homelessness. 

In 2023, 1.4 million women in the UK experienced domestic abuse, one of the leading causes of women’s homelessness, with 70% of survivors having a housing need.

The fund raised £29m from over twenty impact investors and has now closed, focusing on deployment, and has so far purchased 78 properties for its nine housing partners. So far, over 350 women and children have been housed by the fund.

*All names changed  

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[1] https://www.agendaalliance.org/our-work/projects-and-campaigns/violence-abuse-poverty-and-multiple-disadvantage/