30/09/2026
Women experiencing rough sleeping are too often missing from the picture.
Last week, organisations across the UK took part in the Women’s Rough Sleeping Census, which aims to build a more comprehensive picture of women’s experiences of rough sleeping.
In a new comment piece for The Big Issue, Rough Sleeping Manager at RMJ, Ella, shares the story of Miriam, a 69-year-old Slovakian woman who experienced homelessness for around two decades.
Miriam often avoided sleeping on the streets because she did not feel safe. Instead, she sofa surfed or stayed in places such as libraries, making her less visible to homelessness services. Her lack of immigration status created further barriers to accessing support.
Miriam’s story is not unique and demonstrates why government must recognise the intersection between homelessness, immigration status and gender inequality. If they don’t, any efforts to end rough sleeping once and for all are bound to fail.
The Census is an important step, but this understanding must translate into policy and services that reflect women’s experiences. If the government wants to listen to experts such as Ella and our wider rough sleeping teams, we’re just a phone call away. Together, we can fix this.
Read Ella’s full comment piece in The Big Issue:
Miriam spent years homeless with no recourse to public funds. Women like her can't fall through the cracks if rough sleeping is to end.