Oasis Community Housing is helping to lead this year’s Women’s Rough Sleeping Census across Gateshead and Sunderland, as organisations from all seven North-East local authorities come together to build a clearer picture of women’s homelessness.
From 21–27 September, teams from Oasis Community Housing, other Women’s Homelessness Alliance charities, councils, police, hospitals and other local services will be looking beyond the ‘traditional’ rough sleeping places, to understand the experiences of women who may otherwise remain hidden from view.
Latest figures from the 2025 Women’s Rough Sleeping Census found up to 10 times more women sleeping rough than official counts identified, with 65% of women surveyed having experienced homelessness in places excluded from traditional counts such as A&E waiting rooms and public transport.
With Oasis Community Housing playing a key role in last year’s Women’s Rough Sleeping Census – the first to take place across the North East – the charity has been delivering training, alongside Crisis and Shelter, so other organisations across the region are equipped to take part.
Alex Laing, Women’s Rough Sleeping Census Lead for Gateshead and Sunderland, and Oasis Community Housing’s Head of Crisis Services, explains: “Women’s homelessness can be incredibly difficult to see. A woman might spend the night walking around because she doesn’t feel safe sleeping on the streets, move between buses or trains, sleep in a hospital waiting room, stay on different sofas or accept somewhere unsafe because it feels like her only option.
“Women aren’t necessarily absent from our streets – they’re absent from the data.
“That’s why this census matters so much. We’re looking in different places and at different times, and working with services that already have relationships with women who may never come through a traditional homelessness service. We want to find the women who are too often hidden, listen to their experiences and use what we learn to make sure the right support, accommodation and funding is there for them.”
Rather than relying on a single snapshot on one night, teams will be carrying out outreach throughout the week, including early mornings, afternoons and evenings. Services that already work with women – including health, drug and alcohol, domestic abuse and community organisations – will also be able to take part.
Previous census data has already helped influence the development of women-only accommodation and other specialist provision in areas taking part.
Oasis Community Housing’s Gateshead drop-in will also be holding a Women’s Day on Wednesday, providing a relaxed opportunity for women to access support, take part in the census and enjoy some time focused on their wellbeing and self-care. Care packs will also be distributed across all seven local authorities as part of the census.
For the North East, this year’s census is an opportunity to build on the work that began last year. Ensuring services understand the true scale and nature of women’s homelessness – and that women’s experiences are reflected in decisions about homelessness services, funding and support moving forward.