New research from the University of Manchester highlights a pressing issue regarding women’s safety in the city, particularly for those experiencing homelessness. Academics Isis Barei-Guyot, Dr Alison Briggs, and Dr Elizabeth Ackerley argue that the scarcity of women-only temporary accommodation presents a critical threat to the safety of vulnerable women, including trans women.
In their article published by Policy@Manchester, the researchers’ detail how women placed in mixed-gender temporary housing often feel unsafe, especially when they are housed alongside men with criminal backgrounds, including domestic violence offenders and sex offenders. The report indicates that this situation creates significant risks for women who have previously experienced gender-based violence, and it describes their experiences in such accommodations as re-traumatising.
The academics stress that the current crisis-driven housing system in Manchester fails to prioritise the safety needs of women. “Women can be placed into accommodation with men who have criminal records,” they explain, noting the alarming risks associated with such placements. They call for urgent attention to this issue as an overwhelming demand for housing has shifted focus towards rapidly moving women from refuges and other forms of temporary accommodation.
The report points out that without adequate social housing, many women are forced into the unaffordable and unregulated private rental sector, which is particularly detrimental for those with complex needs who may not be suited for independent tenancies.
Barei-Guyot, Briggs, and Ackerley propose several policy recommendations aimed at enhancing women’s safety within the housing sector. Firstly, they advocate for the development of frameworks that reserve a minimum number of places in temporary accommodation specifically for women. They emphasise the importance of local authorities and community interest groups having the necessary facilities to provide face-to-face support for women at risk of homelessness.
Additionally, they support calls made by Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy, who previously urged for a review of local rents and the consideration of rent caps in the private rental sector. The researchers assert that the government must now implement legislation to introduce these caps.
Another key recommendation is for local authorities to formulate trauma-informed policies regarding housing for women fleeing domestic abuse. The academics suggest that these policies should be developed with input from community and voluntary sectors, highlighting the need for public consultations and working groups to amplify the voices of affected women.
Finally, they stress the importance of increased collaboration among local services, advocating for multi-agency working to address the diverse and complex needs of women. They caution against “one size fits all approaches,” which often fail to meet the unique requirements of women facing multiple challenges.
The report, titled ‘Women’s Safety and the Housing Crisis,’ authored by Barei-Guyot, Dr Briggs, and Dr Ackerley, is accessible on the Policy@Manchester website. The findings underscore an urgent need for reform within Manchester’s housing system to ensure the safety and well-being of women experiencing homelessness.
