The Hidden Struggles of Unhoused Women

Did you know that almost one-third of the unhoused population are women? 

This is a startling statistic that doesn’t even begin to speak to the unique challenges that women experiencing homelessness face. Domestic abuse is the leading cause of homelessness for women, with over 80% of unhoused mothers having experienced domestic violence. Women who experience homelessness can also more frequently become victims of additional violence: Over 78% of women experiencing homelessness have been victims of rape, and 72% have been physically assaulted.

Women who experience homelessness face unique challenges, like limited access to feminine hygiene products, which forces them to make difficult choices between buying food and their hygiene. They also deal with much higher rates of mental illness such as anxiety, depression, and schizophrenia.

Living on the street becomes infinitely more difficult for pregnant women and mothers with children. They lack access to proper childcare, healthcare, and suffer from malnutrition, which can lead to severe medical complications. It's a daily battle that no one should have to face.

At City Relief, we provide weekly meals and connect people experiencing homelessness to resources that can help them get back on their feet, and we offer options that cater specifically to women. Our outreach leaders work tirelessly to get women who visit us into women-only shelters or domestic violence shelters, and try to make sure they have the means to support themselves along the way. We believe that every unhoused woman deserves to have access to basic needs and resources, no matter what.

You can help by supporting government-backed initiatives for the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) and low-income childcare options, or by contacting your local women's and family shelters to see how you can make a difference in the lives of women experiencing homelessness.

Sincerely,

Josiah Haken