Kisaco Research’s Post

Waterloo Region recently lost its only women-only shelter, highlighting the urgent need for dedicated spaces for homeless women. Women face unique challenges and safety concerns that are not adequately addressed in mixed-gender shelters. For instance, a local study found that nearly 3 out of 4 women avoid coed shelters due to safety concerns. This is why services and organizations like Nisa Foundation are crucial. We are committed to filling this gap by providing safe, supportive environments specifically for women, especially those who are racialized. Our efforts aim to ensure that women in our community have access to the resources they need to feel secure and supported. Read more about the importance of women-only shelters and the current situation in Waterloo Region 👉 https://lnkd.in/g7cUBtGz #WomenOnlyShelters #EndHomelessness #SupportWomen #NisaFoundation #SafeSpaces #CommunitySupport #EmpowerWomen #SocialImpact #WomenHelpingWomen #MakeADifference #WaterlooRegion #KWCommunity #OntarioCharity #SupportLocal

It’s International Women’s Day and the theme is #InspireInclusivity. Homelessness doesn’t affect everyone equally. Homeless men may be more visible on the streets, but women are rough sleeping too. The problem is, due to the ways women become homeless, and the dangers they face on the streets, they are often missed from rough sleeping counts. Share this post today and help us shine a light on the inequalities of the rough sleeper count!   #InternationalWomensDay #IWD2024 #InspireInclusivity 

Today we celebrate International Women’s Day. The theme this year is ‘Inspire Inclusion’, a theme that relates so well to the work we do here at Simon on the Streets. Our outreach team is always out there providing support to those who need it. Every single day they see the stigmas, stereotypes, and assumptions that society makes about those experiencing homelessness, and as a team we’re constantly trying to break down those barriers to change. Whether that’s through our fundraising or raising awareness around the impact of homelessness within our communities. In this week’s blog, the team are taking a look at just a few of the assumptions made about women and homelessness, and why it’s vital to understand that every single person is more than just a statistic. #InspireInclusion #IWD2024 #blog

Male representation is essential in the MMIW movement because it fosters a sense of shared responsibility and unites communities in the fight against violence. When men advocate for change, it challenges the structures that enable violence and demonstrates that this is not solely a women’s issue—it’s a human issue. Men’s involvement can help break cycles of violence, create safer spaces, and inspire other men to take action. By standing together, men and women can work to dismantle harmful stereotypes, uplift Indigenous voices, and ensure that future generations live in a world where justice and equality prevail. It’s time for all of us to take an active role in the movement. Indigenous Model: @thelittlenativethatcould Maya & llocano To support content like this, please consider a donation of any amount. Text ‘Give Native’ to 44-321 or visit our website https://lnkd.in/gVYdEM32 #MMIW #MenAsAllies #MMIP #MMIR #MMIWR #IndigenousAdvocacy #ProtectOurWomen #NoMoreStolenSisters #IndigenousWarriors #StandWithUs

Ending homelessness in Australia for women, gender diverse people and their families takes a year-round effort. If you’re passionate about ensuring everyone has access to a safe, secure and affordable home, here’s a few more things you can do: ✅ Take our online course, which helps you understand what women’s experiences of homelessness look like, and what actions we can all take to end homelessness: https://lnkd.in/gRh4CZ58 ✅ Have your voice heard by participating in our research with Swinburne University on what young women and gender diverse people’s experiences of homelessness look like: https://lnkd.in/gMvE6saG ✅ Join our Digital Activist Community, and participate in future campaigns and submissions: https://lnkd.in/gRNXDdzB With your help, we can end homelessness for women, gender diverse people and their families in Australia.

Women experience homelessness differently to men. They are much more likely to be ‘hidden homeless’, because it’s dangerous being visible on the street. This can also make it harder to reach them and offer support. We aim to create an environment of physical and psychological safety for all the women we support, no matter what service they are accessing. Read more about how women experience homelessness and the support that we offer: https://lnkd.in/d-Y_F_VT #Women #Homelessness #IWD2024

Did you know? Nearly 3 in 4 women experiencing homelessness as individuals in Los Angeles County are women of color, and Black women make up a disproportionate share. This is just one of the data points shared in Urban Institute's latest feature, "Supporting Women of Color Experiencing Homelessness as Individuals in Los Angeles." The feature is based on survey data collected through listening sessions and surveys for the 2022 Los Angeles County Women's Needs Assessment. Bottom line: Changes to policy and practice could solve this and help more women—in Los Angeles and elsewhere—exit homelessness. Policymakers at the local, state, and federal levels, service providers, and advocates have the power to fund and implement those solutions. Kudos to @UrbanInstitute for uplifting the voices of nearly 700 women across Los Angeles County. To see the data and policy recommendations: https://lnkd.in/gPS2bQy6

𝐖𝐡𝐞𝐧 𝐰𝐚𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐥𝐚𝐬𝐭 𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐬𝐚𝐰 𝐚 𝐰𝐨𝐦𝐚𝐧 𝐬𝐥𝐞𝐞𝐩𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡 𝐨𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐭? Women on the streets will often hide away to stay safe. It keeps them hidden from dangers but also hidden from the support they desperately need. When women do sleep rough visibly, it is often with partners who abuse and exploit them in exchange for 'protection'. It means typical homeless counting methods underreport the number of women who are rough sleeping. These women are being let down by traditional systems, falling through the cracks and are often not having their homelessness resolved for months or even years. In this eye-opening episode of The Do One Better Knowledge Hub and Podcast, our Board Chair, Jon Rosser, speaks about our impact in London, rising homelessness across the country and our crucial work with women experiencing homelessness. 🎙️ Jon shines a light on our pioneering women's rough sleeping census, developed and managed in partnership with Solace Women's Aid and delivered by a coalition of incredible #homelessness and cross-sector organisations. Together, we're advocating for improved gender-informed support and policies, more women-only accommodation and investment in equitable data collection methods that account for women's experiences of homelessness. Only then will these women get the essential support they deserve. • Listen to the full podcast here 🎧 👉 https://lnkd.in/eDZtmHs8 • Please share the link to help us spread awareness of this work 📢 • Click the link to find out more about our work with women 🔗 www.shp.org.uk/women Every woman deserves a place to call home and a life free from violence and abuse. #HomelessnessAwareness #DomesticViolence #RoughSleeping #Podcast #Advocacy #WomensHomelessness

"Over the next two years, I moved around. I eventually found a block of flats to hide in... most homeless people you see on the streets are often sitting on the ground, young people aren't like that. We're always walking around." Lainey left 'home' at the age of 16 due to domestic abuse. She was then hidden rough sleeping for two years - completely alone, without ever coming to the attention of outreach teams, as the way she slept rough was different to how rough sleeping is currently understood and identified. She was eventually linked in with SHP services by a chance encounter with another woman experiencing homelessness. One of the commitments of this year's IWD's theme #inspireinclusion is When women aren't present, we must ask: "If not, why not?" Two women's rough sleeping censuses have answered this question - the reason that women aren't present in rough sleeping data and rough sleeping services to the extent that they should be is that rough sleeping is currently defined and responded to using a system built for men. There are hundreds more women like Lainey who are hidden rough sleeping and who are being overlooked by these systems every day. We will continue to raise awareness of this, and to push for the changes that need to happen to tackle this inequity: All Local Authorities should undertake a women's rough sleeping census annually, and Outreach practices should understand and respond to how women experience rough sleeping - not for one day or one week of the year, but all year round. This IWD, please take a few minutes to read Lainey's story, and be part of the change we want to see - to find out more about how to undertake a women's rough sleeping census in your area this year, or for more information on gender informed approaches to outreach, please get in touch. Solace Women's Aid Single Homeless Project Change Grow Live #iwd2024 #inspireinclusion #roughsleeping #homelessnessawareness #womensupportingwomen https://lnkd.in/ey3j-xDX

We had our first lunch and learn for LGBT History Month this week at Teach First and were joined by Chris from akt who told us about their crucially important work supporting LGBTQ+ young people at risk of, or experiencing homelessness. Some stark takeaways: - the cost to house a young person akt supports has tripled in the past year due to the cost of living crisis (and namely rent hikes) - the leading contributing factor (leading to homelessness) cited by young lgbtq+ people is family. Often because of coming out or being outed (reflect on this alongside the draft guidance for schools re trans children and you can see why many are so worried about the suggestion teachers must essentially out children to their parents.) - almost 25% of young people who are homeless are lgbtq+ - akt have seen a steep increase in the number of trans and non-binary young people needing their support. What can you do? - check out akt and consider donating money or time - spread the word; if you work with young people get the word out about akt - be loud and visible in your support for lgbtq+ young people Right now you can also sign akt's 'Plan for the 136k' petition, and call for the government to create a plan for the 136,000 homeless young people in the UK: