The Women at the Heart of Housing First: It’s Time for National Action

CEO Statement: From Harm to Home – A Call for Urgent Action

Today, we came together to mark five years of the Westminster VAWG Housing First Project—a model that has transformed lives, provided lasting safety, and evidences that when we take a gender-responsive approach to homelessness, we see real change.

At the centre of today’s event were the survivors whose bravery and resilience remind us why this work is so vital. The women featured in the Westminster Council film welcomed us into their lives and homes, allowing us to witness the reality of rebuilding after trauma. We owe them our deepest gratitude—not just for sharing their stories, but for pushing us to do more.

The numbers speak for themselves:
✔ 90% of the women housed this year have sustained their tenancies.
✔ 95% of the women housed through this project over five years have remained in their homes.
✔ Tenancy sustainment rates at 90% for women impacted by abuse and long-term homelessness.

This success is not a coincidence—it is the result of strategic collaboration, survivor-led services, underpinned by a commitment to putting women’s needs first.

But we cannot stop here.
For too long, women’s experiences of homelessness have been invisible in data, policies, and service provision. The Westminster VAWG Housing First model is proof that we can change this—but it must not remain an isolated initiative.

🟣 To the UK Government – We need a Housing First Strategy that scales this model nationwide, with dedicated cross-government funding and a commitment to gender-responsive services.
🟣 To Local Authorities – Women’s homelessness cannot be an afterthought. We need you to lead and deliver annual women’s rough sleeping censuses, integrate VAWG expertise into housing strategies, and fund Housing Coordination roles.
🟣 To Service Providers – Make domestic abuse and VAWG a core priority. Gender-responsive services must be the standard, not the exception.

As part of today’s event, we were also proud to launch our new podcast series, From Harm to Home 🎙️—a six-episode series featuring journeys of survival and transformation, alongside expert insights. If you haven’t already, listen to the podcast and access the Impact Report here: The Westminster Violence Against Women and Girls Housing First Project — Standing Together.

This work would not be possible without Westminster City Council, Solace Women’s Aid, our dedicated housing providers, and Standing Together’s Housing First team.

A special thank you to Minister Rushanara Ali MP for her powerful message of support, recognising the impact of this programme and the need for wider action.

Above all, we honour the survivors. Their courage drives this work forward, and their voices must continue to shape policy and services.

The time for discussion is over. We have the evidence. We know what works. Now, let’s act.