Key Points
- New eight-bedroom house opens February 2026.
- Homeless Oxfordshire doubles women capacity.
- Trauma-informed support for homeless women.
- 51 women slept rough in Oxfordshire 2025.
- Resident Shelby credits house for recovery.
Oxford (Oxford Daily News) February 23, 2026 – A newly refurbished eight-bedroom house dedicated exclusively to homeless women has opened in Oxford, marking a significant expansion in support services amid a growing crisis of female rough sleeping in Oxfordshire. The property, acquired by the charity Homeless Oxfordshire in October 2025 and renovated with community backing, now welcomes its first residents, providing a safe haven with specialised trauma-informed care to help women rebuild their lives. This development doubles the charity’s capacity for women-only accommodation, addressing what local surveys have identified as a hidden epidemic of homelessness among women in the region.
The opening comes at a critical time, as a 2025 survey by the Oxfordshire Homeless Movement (OHM) revealed that 51 women were sleeping rough across the county, highlighting the urgent need for targeted interventions. As reported by BBC News, the house forms a cornerstone of Homeless Oxfordshire’s Women’s Project, which has seen a 40% surge in women seeking services, many grappling with complex issues including domestic abuse, substance use, and childhood trauma.
Why Was This New House in Oxford Needed?
The impetus for the new house stems from alarming trends in women’s homelessness in Oxfordshire, where official counts have long underestimated the scale of the problem. According to a July 2025 report from Homeless Oxfordshire, national data from the Women’s Rough Sleeping Census (WRSC) indicated 1,014 women had slept rough in the previous three months across 88 local authority areas, with 73% on the streets and 54% in locations invisible to traditional snapshots.
In Oxfordshire specifically, the 2025 OHM survey identified 51 women rough sleeping, a figure that local community insights suggested was even higher.
This underrepresentation arises because women often hide from public view to avoid violence, exploitation, or abuse, leading to what experts term “hidden homelessness.” Simon Hewett-Avison, Chief Executive of Homeless Oxfordshire, launched the Her Way Home appeal in April 2025 to combat this, as covered by BBC News, aiming to purchase dedicated properties and hire staff to serve twice as many women.
The charity, founded as Oxford Night Shelter in 1985, has evolved into Oxfordshire’s largest provider of supported accommodation, focusing on those with lifelong disadvantages like poverty and institutional care. Their Women’s Project specifically targets the 40% rise in female service users, many facing child welfare issues, relationship breakdowns, offending behaviour, historic abuse, bereavement, sexual exploitation, domestic violence, self-harm, and substance use.
As part of the Her Way Home campaign, the appeal successfully funded the October 2025 property purchase and refurbishments, including kitchen upgrades and bedroom enhancements, supported by partners like those posting on Instagram about their contributions.
Who Are the Women This House Serves?
The residents are women who have endured profound hardships, often invisible to mainstream homelessness services. Shelby, using a pseudonym as shared in the BBC article by an unnamed reporter, recounted hitting “rock bottom” due to unhealthy relationships, domestic abuse, poor decisions, and male control, coping with alcohol.
“I’ve spent nights in doorways, in storage units, and even in an abandoned church,” she said. “Given the chance I have now, I will seize it wholeheartedly and ensure I don’t let it slip away.”
Now one of the first residents, Shelby described the house as “simply incredible,” feeling like she has taken “ten significant steps forward.”
She praised the staff as feeling “like family,” adding, “It’s not quite like having a mom, but it feels like genuine support. You’re not alone.”
Carli Flory, leader of the women’s services team at Homeless Oxfordshire, explained the unique needs in the BBC report: “Many of the women we assist have endured severe trauma, instability, and a breakdown of trust in others. For them, safety encompasses more than just physical security; it includes emotional well-being, a sense of belonging, and dignity.”
The project offers specialised trauma support, one-to-one sessions, group work, and pathways to independence and permanent housing. This aligns with broader OHM efforts listing women-only options like Edge Housing’s three-space house for resilience-building, Connection Support’s NRPF properties, and Oxfordshire Mind’s seven rooms at Micklewood for mental health cases.
Homeless Oxfordshire also integrates women into mixed projects like O’Hanlon House and The Vineyard, but the new house prioritises gender-specific safety amid a 2024 national census showing ten times more women rough sleeping than official figures.
How Does the New House Support Recovery?
The eight-bedroom facility provides not just shelter but a comprehensive recovery ecosystem. Acquired in October 2025, it was refurbished thanks to the Her Way Home appeal, opening doors in February 2026 as announced on Homeless Oxfordshire’s website in January 2026.
Services include trauma-informed care, helping women reconstruct lives shattered by complex interrelating problems. As per the charity’s description, support covers everything from self-esteem building to employment guidance, with house meetings and ongoing aid even post-move-out.
Shelby, in her BBC interview, transitioned from “staying afloat” to “actually swimming,” crediting the environment for her progress. “I was at rock bottom and I’m slowly getting up,” she shared, noting homelessness was the “most challenging period” and “frightening.”
Carli Flory emphasised emotional dimensions, while the project’s design doubles capacity from previous limits, responding to the 40% service increase. Instagram updates from February 3, 2026, confirmed first residents arriving soon after.
This builds on prior appeals; in April 2025, Hewett-Avison highlighted preventing “hidden homeless” via expanded housing, following the first women’s rough sleeping census exposing data gaps.
Nationally, WRSC 2024/2025 data showed 365 women in prior homelessness accommodation before streets, 24% with strangers, and 43% without service access, underscoring the need for places like this.
What Is the Broader Context of Homelessness in Oxfordshire?
Oxfordshire’s homelessness landscape reveals stark gender disparities. March 2025 figures showed 46 rough sleepers county-wide, a slight drop, but services deemed 2026 “critical,” per BBC coverage.
OHM, where Yvonne Pinner serves as Project Director since 2022, coordinates partners to ensure “nobody should have to sleep rough.” Their 2025 WRSC analysis of 42 surveys (up from 39 in 2024) confirmed hidden numbers, with community meetings spotting 39 women against 36 in census.
Homeless Oxfordshire’s core values effective, challenging systems, inspiring, responsive, compassionate, brave drive their work, never giving up on the excluded.
Local options abound: Aspire Oxford’s Matilda House cluster, Doors of Hope ministries, and Willow House’s empowering activities like gardening and arts. Yet, the new house fills a gap for trauma-focused, women-only long-term support.
The 2025 OHM county survey pinpointed 51 women, aligning with national trends where women comprise a growing share, often overlooked.
When Did Planning for This House Begin?
Planning traces to mid-2025, post-WRSC revelations. Homeless Oxfordshire’s July 2025 report called for gender-informed strategies, investing in women-only housing.
The Her Way Home appeal, launched April 2025, funded the purchase amid Paula Barker MP’s call for better assessment, as quoted: “We cannot ever hope to end rough sleeping if we are not even able to assess the scope of the problem to begin with.”
By January 28, 2026, the charity celebrated on their site: “Thanks to support for our Her Way Home appeal, our new Women’s Project house will open its doors to residents in February 2026.”
Refurbishments, backed by local firms as per Instagram on February 10, 2026, upgraded kitchens and bedrooms.
BBC’s February 23, 2026, feature captured the opening buzz, with Shelby’s story symbolising hope. While exact addresses are withheld for safety, the house is situated in Oxford, integrated into Homeless Oxfordshire’s network alongside sites like Project 41 and Step-Up/Step-Down. It joins other women-focused spots like Sunnyside and Micklewood under Oxfordshire Mind.
The charity’s central operations support seamless referrals via access panels or health colleagues, ensuring quick placement.
Who Are the Key Figures Involved?
- Carli Flory: Women’s services team leader, advocating holistic safety.
- Shelby: Pseudonymous resident, embodying recovery.
- Yvonne Pinner: OHM Project Director, highlighting complexities.
- Simon Hewett-Avison: CEO, spearheading Her Way Home.
Partners include Aspire, A2Dominion, Edge Housing, and more via OHM.
What Challenges Remain Despite the Opening?
Despite progress, 2026 remains pivotal. Official data lags, with women at risk in unsuitable mixed housing 365 nationally cycled back to streets.
OHM pushes cross-sector approaches, while Homeless Oxfordshire eyes further expansion. Shelby’s warning resonates: seize chances, don’t let slip. Local councils like Oxford City tackle via strategies, but charities lead frontline.
Donations to Her Way Home sustain operations. Follow Homeless Oxfordshire online, volunteer, or advocate via OHM events. As Carli Flory noted, dignity and belonging transform lives. This 2026 opening signals commitment, but sustained effort is key.
