Women & Homelessness: Breaking the Cycle of “Stuckness”
One of the first women I met doing outreach in New York City was Tricia (not her real name). She was in her mid-forties, trying to escape a cycle of trauma, addiction, and violence. Taking methadone for opioid recovery, she also needed anxiety medication for PTSD, but the combination left her drowsy and vulnerable on the streets. Shelter rules forced her outside during the day, leaving her exposed to dangers she couldn't fend off. She couldn't work, couldn't stop treatment without unbearable withdrawal, and most of all—she couldn't find a way out. She was stuck.
Homelessness remains a major crisis in the U.S., affecting over 771,000 people as of January 2024—an alarming 18% increase from last year. While it impacts all demographics, as we begin Women's History Month, I want to highlight the unique challenges women experiencing homelessness face. Understanding these gender-specific issues is key to creating real, compassionate solutions.
So, what drives homelessness among women? Three major factors stand out:
Domestic Violence: Up to 57% of homeless women cite domestic violence as the immediate cause. One study in Massachusetts showed that 92% of women experiencing homelessness have been victims of severe violent or sexual assault at some point in their lives. Leaving an abusive relationship often means walking away with nothing and nowhere to go.
Economic Inequality: Single mothers and low-income women face a constant struggle between wages and housing costs, making stable housing nearly impossible. In the U.S., 28% of single-mother households live in poverty, compared to just 5% of married-couple families.
Lack of Affordable Housing: With an ongoing shortage of low-cost rental units, many women are left with no safe or sustainable living options. As of February 2025 the national median rent for a one-bedroom apartment in the United States is $1,525 per month which marks a 30% increase in just ten years!
Tricia and so many other women that I have encountered over the years have cried as they expressed their desperation of feeling stuck. This "stuckness" is something I hope we keep in mind as we discuss the realities of homelessness for women this month. Whether it's domestic violence, healthcare, housing, childcare, or employment, too many women—our mothers, daughters, aunts, cousins, and friends—are trapped between survival and impossibility. And while we may not see as many women on the streets as men, the hidden many are often even more vulnerable than the visible few.
Over the next few weeks I am going to highlight several women who have gotten themselves "unstuck" and how City Relief played a very small role in helping to make that happen. I know it can feel hopeless, but I've seen too many miracles to deny the possibility of a better life for the millions of women in our country who are struggling to make ends meet.
Thank you for taking the time to reflect on how we can better support women experiencing homelessness.
