SHOCKING figures revealed in a Freedom of Information request highlight an increase in women living on the streets.

According to the FOI response from Durham County Council, in 2016, 46 per cent of the homeless population were female and seeking accommodation. The figure grew to 50 per cent in 2017 and rose again to 59 per cent in 2018.

The women applied for accommodation from the council, which offers crash pad rooms and hotels to those in need.

Lynn Hall, Durham County Council’s strategic manager for housing said: “We are aware that the number of homeless applications for females has increased. Often, we find that they are staying with friends or relatives. We have recently been working with Changing Lives to provide accommodation for single women aged 18 and over and, in October 2017, opened a supported accommodation scheme that provides six beds and an emergency safe room.

“One of the top three reasons for homeless applications is the breakdown of a relationship with a partner due to domestic abuse. We continue to operate a very successful scheme in partnership with Durham Constabulary which assists victims to remain at home by fitting security items to the property.”

Durham County Council is developing a strategy to prevent homelessness and increase the amount of available accommodation for homeless women.

Other findings were revealed in an FOI request submitted to Ryedale District Council in North Yorkshire, it showed the overall number of homeless people was decreasing in the area but, the number of homeless women seeking accommodation had risen in the last three years from 20 to 24.

Lisa Raferty of Homeless Link said: “Women experiencing homelessness are typically less visible on the streets than men, more likely to be hidden homeless, and more likely to have experienced trauma and abuse both before and during homelessness, including separation from children.

"Despite women’s unique and complex experience of homelessness, very few homelessness services are gender specific and responsive to women’s multiple disadvantages and needs, which may make it difficult for women to access support."