Women in Safe Homes LP

The challenge

There is a significant unmet demand for safe and secure homes for women in need. Two thirds of homeless adults living in temporary accommodation are women. Women’s Aid reports that 60% of women being referred to specialist refuges are being turned away, mainly due to lack of space.

Our approach

Big Society Capital first proposed the fund in 2018, in response to our research – where we talked to more than 60 women’s sector organisations about their housing needs. The fund was then created and is managed jointly by Resonance and Patron Capital. We have provided £10 million cornerstone investment at its first close.

The fund

Women in Safe Homes fund provides affordable, safe and secure homes across the UK for women who are experiencing homelessness, survivors of domestic abuse, have experience of the criminal justice system or have other complex needs. It acquires homes and leases them to women’s sector and homelessness charities which, in turn, will let them to women at risk of homelessness, with a secure tenancy. The women will also receive specialist support to help them recover from abusive or difficult circumstances.

• Fund size

  £15.5 million

• Better Society Capital commitment

  £10 million