Providing a Haven for women at risk of rough sleeping

A new housing scheme with 24/7 onsite support services for six vulnerable ex-rough sleepers, which is the first of its kind in the Dorset Council area, was officially opened today (6 May).

The special occasion was marked by the planting of a cherry blossom tree and unveiling of a plaque, by Cabinet Member for Health and Housing, Councillor Gill Taylor.

‘The Haven’ has undergone extensive refurbishment since it was purchased by the council last year. It has six bedrooms with communal kitchen and living space, laundry utilities, an office and outside space. The purchase of the property follows research, which was done into services and resources for people who are homeless and rough sleeping in our area. We identified gaps in provision for female rough sleepers and 24/7 supported accommodation for those with complex needs.

Dorset Council Cabinet member for Housing and Health, Councillor Gill Taylor, said: “I am so proud to officially open the first scheme of its kind in the area which will give much needed care and support in safe surroundings for women who have faced difficulties with mental health, substance misuse and/or been victims of domestic abuse.

“This scheme will provide vulnerable women a platform to rebuild their lives and thrive; giving them stability so they can find the strength, confidence and ability to grow and make strides towards making a happy and independent life for themselves.

“Planting the cherry blossom tree in the grounds of the new house will not only give the new tenants something beautiful to look at, but it will also represent the opportunity they have to start afresh and blossom as individuals.”

The property was bought to create a haven for women who need specialist support, free from harm and danger and to reduce the risk of them becoming homeless.

Dorset Council’s Housing team submitted a grant application to the government's Single Homelessness Accommodation Programme (SHAP) via Homes England, which was successful and has provided nearly half of the funding to buy and renovate the building.

A second grant from Homes England has enabled the council to fund a wrap-around support service to tenants over the next three years.

Julian House, a charity which specialises in working in outreach and homelessness, were successful in the procurement process to provide the female-focussed support service.

Helen Bedser, Chief Executive of Julian House, welcomed the partnership with Dorset Council: “We are excited to grow our services within Dorset, ensuring that women in the community have specialist support in a secure, stable home where they can rebuild their lives and recover from the trauma of homelessness.”

Women will be assessed on their suitability to live there based on their current living arrangements and support need, via an established multi-agency allocations panel.

If you know of someone who is sleeping rough, please contact Dorset Council’s Housing team on 01305 221000 or visit www.streetlink.org.uk.

Sarah's* Story
(*not real name due to safeguarding reasons)

At the age of 17, Sarah’s relationship with her family broke down and she moved into a hostel for young people. She was completely lacking in life skills and traumatised by the situation she found herself in. Fellow residents introduced her to heroin. Sarah said: “I didn’t think it would happen to me; I was sure I wouldn’t get addicted and then I was sure I wouldn’t inject…then I couldn’t see a way out.”

Whilst still in her teens, Sarah got into a relationship and moved to a flat in a different town, which further eroded her fragile support network. Her partner was violent and controlling; keeping hold of all the money and making sure the flat was in his name. She was dependent on the drugs he supplied, as well as being emotionally dependent on the relationship.

They had two children together. Sarah had hoped that the birth of their second child would stop the escalating abuse.

Instead, Social Services became involved, and the children were placed in to foster care. Sarah said she ‘was pleased they were safe and that he didn’t know where they were living’. However, it made her more vulnerable. Sarah was hospitalised after a particularly vicious attack and she then realised that she had nothing left to lose, and pressed charges.

After this incident, Sarah’s partner was remanded in custody and then went to prison. The flat was in his name, so she was made homeless. She was put into a two-week detox, then referred into a homeless hostel which was in a different part of the county. The hostel was full of people with substance use issues, so not only did Sarah return to using heroin, but she also started using crack cocaine.

The next few years were a blur of sofa surfing and short-term housing.

However, she ended up in a shared property in 2016, where she met a new partner. They were both leading completely chaotic lives and were evicted from the house and ended up sleeping rough in a tent outside of town – a situation they remained in for the next two years.

Sarah talked about the hardship of winters sleeping out, but that this was also the time they were most ‘carefree.’ She acknowledged life would have been very different if she was sleeping out alone.

Sarah was determined to get on top of her drug dependency: she reduced her crack use to paydays-only and she was put on a methadone script. Sarah has praised the support she got from the Reach Drug and Alcohol Service. She made sure she prioritised appointments with them.

Despite not being able to find suitable accommodation (there wasn’t provision for couples), Sarah and her partner also appreciated input from the Julian House outreach team, stressing the importance of consistency and a non-judgemental approach. The other service, alongside soup runs and other meal providers, that helped at this stage was the Lantern. It was the Lantern who laid a deposit for them when they finally found a flat to move into.

Ironically, the move into the flat was negative for Sarah and her partner as a couple. With bills to pay and meals to provide themselves, they no longer felt carefree, and arguments crept in.

When Sarah fell unexpectedly pregnant, the situation got worse as she was constantly sick and had other complications.

When the baby was three months old, Sarah lapsed on crack and the baby was placed into the care of her partner’s mother. Sarah maintained regular contact with her child and picked up her recovery from substances. Sarah is now completely abstinent from all substances – something she has maintained for six years. She is also working full time in the social care sector, using her lived experience to support others. Sarah sees her child daily and is happy for her to live with her grandmother, with whom she has a close relationship.

Sarah talked about the benefits of the Haven for women who may have had similar experiences to her. As very few refuges take women with substance use issues, Sarah felt The Haven would "have been ideal" when she became homeless after experiencing domestic violence.

It will be critical for supporting women to get the life skills she never had the opportunity to learn before being exposed to independent living. Sarah said: “It’s so important to have your own door you can lock and have your own space, somewhere you can feel safe.”

It will be crucial to have that on-site, consistent support so that the women who live there can as Sarah says, "learn how to trust"; something that can be really difficult for people who have had traumatic life experiences.

It will be a place where women can connect with the services they need to move forward, such as drug and alcohol and mental health agencies, so they have the best possible opportunity to make the kind of changes Sarah has.