A new service has been launched in York to support vulnerable women at risk of homelessness.
Last week, York and North Yorkshire Deputy Mayor Jo Coles, visited the initiative, which has been set up by Changing Lives. It will provide safe housing and tailored support for women aged 18 and over who are facing multiple unmet needs, such as exploitation, domestic abuse, and offending.
The service takes a ‘one-front-door’ approach, creating safe living spaces for women, while also offering additional support to help build skills, confidence, and independence.
The York Women’s Accommodation has been jointly funded by the York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority and HM Prison & Probation Service, who have each committed £25,000 to pilot the scheme for 12 months.
Jo Coles, Deputy Mayor for Policing, Fire and Crime said:
“We know that some women who face homelessness can remain living with perpetrators of abuse to keep a roof over their heads and that women in unstable housing are at a greater risk of offending.
“Both Mayor David Skaith and I are committed to halving violence against women and girls in York and North Yorkshire and ensuring we support women locally to help to meet the Government’s mission.
“Ensuring vulnerable women have a safe place to live is essential and this pilot project will contribute towards that aim, supporting women facing homelessness in York to access safe and secure housing.
“This pilot scheme will help us to better understand the level of need for this type of accommodation here in York and North Yorkshire and shape what we do in the future. I look forward to hearing how the project progresses.”
Elaine Colleran, Senior Area Contract Manager at HM Prison & Probation Service, said:
“HM Prison & Probation Service is pleased to be working in partnership with the York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority and Changing Lives to support this important pilot initiative.
“We recognise that women experiencing homelessness often face multiple and complex challenges, including trauma, exploitation, and contact with the criminal justice system. Providing safe, gender-informed accommodation is a critical step in helping women to stabilise their lives, reduce their risk of reoffending, and access the support they need to move forward.
“This pilot reflects our commitment to commissioning services that protect the public, reduce reoffending, and support rehabilitation. We look forward to seeing the impact this provision will have on the lives of the women it serves and using the learning to inform future service development across the region.”
Faye Sunter, Director of Development at Changing Lives said:
“We are very excited to begin accepting referrals for our new Women’s only accommodation service in York.
“The service will offer nine units of supported accommodation solely for women across York and North Yorkshire who are experiencing homelessness or are at risk of homelessness.
“The women will receive individual support from our dedicated Housing Management and Support Workers in a safe and trauma informed environment allowing them to make positive change and be empowered to move on successfully. The service will work alongside our York Women’s Centre so that the women can access daily support tailored to meet their needs as well as support from a variety of partners.
“We would like to thank our funders, the York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority as well as Yorkshire and Humber Probation Service who have enabled us to move forward with this well needed service for women in the region.”
Changing Lives, the commissioned service provider, owns the accommodation, which is made up of two properties that can house up to nine women.
Staff will be available on site to offer provide direct support, while rewidents will also be linked into wider gender-specific services through the York Women’s Centre.
Referrals to the service can be made by any agency, including the Probation Service, North Yorkshire Police, and City of York Council, as well as through self-referrals.