- WOMEN IN SAFE HOMES FUND
2023-2024
Our Impact at a Glance
€1.5M
Initial anchor support by Keith & Lauren Breslauer and further investment of €1m
Managed pro bono by a team at Patron Capital in joint venture with Resonance
122
Affordable homes to be built across the UK
9
Housing partners
€29M
Raised to date
700
women & children to be housed who suffered domestic abuse or are ex-offenders
2023-2024
The Women in Safe Homes Fund
The Women in Safe Homes Fund is the world’s first gender-lens property fund focused on helping women who either suffered domestic abuse or are ex-offenders.
Initiated in December 2020, the Fund was launched by Patron Capital and Resonance in a joint venture to provide affordable, safe, and secure homes for women and their families who are suffering domestic abuse, leaving the criminal justice system and women at risk of or experiencing homelessness in the UK. The Fund also works in partnership with Women’s Sector Organisations (WSOs), its housing partners, who provide specialist wraparound services to tenants.
Together with Keith & Lauren Breslauer initial anchor support of €1.5 million, an investment of €1 million, and the dedication of an essentially pro bono Patron team, including Juan Du, Kendall Langford and Richard Sykes, over €29m has been raised so far. Its aim is to create 122 affordable homes over its lifetime, benefiting over 700 women.
The Fund is jointly managed by the Patron dedicated team and Resonance and operates in partnership with women’s sector organisations and charities to offer housing support and specialist services. In addition to Patron’s financial resources commitment, Patron actively engages in Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) activities to support the Women in Safe Homes objectives.
Charity Partners
Why the need for the fund?
Women’s Homelessness is often rooted in sexual trauma and domestic violence. Experiences of homelessness differ for men and women, requiring a gendered approach and a bespoke solution for housing and support.
- 60% of all homeless adults in England are women.
- 70% of domestic abuse survivors have a housing need.
- 47% of women leave prison without a settled home.
- 60% of all homeless adults in England are women.
- 70% of dornestic abuse survivors have a housing need.
- 47% of women leave prison without a settled home.
Existing housing options do not serve women sufficiently well:
- 30% shortfall in number of refuge spaces available
- 57.2% of refuge referrals were declined in 2019/20 (18.1 % of all referrals tumed down due to lack of capacity in refuges
- Only 11 % of emergency homelessness services offer single sex accommodation.
- 35% of families experiencing hornelessness say their children do not have their own bed
OUR GOALS
The Fund's Impact
With the help of 9 housing partners the fund is proud to have already housed women and children who have been affected by one or more issues including homelessness, mental and physical ill health, sexual violence, honour-based violence, forced marriage, and stalking.
We aim to purchase over 122 properties including refuges, 1 -3 bed properties and family homes and the first tenants moved into their homes in Autumn 2021. Other notable positive impacts that the fund has had so far include:
- 76 homes handed over to housing partners
- 9 housing partners
- 20 impact investors
- 91.5% of women reported positive impact on their wellbeing and life outcomes (2023/24 survey)
- 87% of women agreed or strongly agreed that they felt safe in their home (2023/24 survey)
- 83% of women reported improved mental health since living in their home. (2023/24 survey)
2024
Corporate Social Responsibility
Project of the Year
(WISH)
2024
Property & Construction
(WISH)
Highly Commended
2024
Impact Project / Investment of the Year: Real Estate
(WISH)
2023
Sustainability Award
(WISH)
2023
Investment of the Year: Real Estate
(WISH)
2022Real Estate Manager of the Year & Impact Manager of the Year (WISH) Highly Commended
2022
Social Impact Initiative (WISH)
NEWS
Blogs
- WOMEN IN SAFE HOMES FUND
The Women in Safe Homes Fund is the world’s first gender-lens property fund focused on helping women who either suffered domestic abuse or are ex-offenders.
Established in January 2021, the Fund was initiated by Patron Capital to provide affordable, safe, and secure homes for women and their families who are suffering domestic abuse, leaving the criminal justice system and women at risk of or experiencing homelessness in the UK. The Fund also works in partnership with Women’s Sector Organisations (WSOs), its housing partners, who provide specialist wraparound services to tenants.
- WOMEN IN SAFE HOMES FUND
The Women in Safe Homes Fund is the world’s first gender-lens property fund focused on helping women who either suffered domestic abuse or are ex-offenders.
Established in January 2021, the Fund was initiated by Patron Capital to provide affordable, safe, and secure homes for women and their families who are suffering domestic abuse, leaving the criminal justice system and women at risk of or experiencing homelessness in the UK. The Fund also works in partnership with Women’s Sector Organisations (WSOs), its housing partners, who provide specialist wraparound services to tenants.
OUR STORY
The Fund's First Refuge
Since the pandemic and the cost-of-living crisis, the demand for refuge space has grown. We have partnered with Refuge to purchase and renovate a large family home to accommodate 7 women and their children. The property is well located with transport links, amenities and schools nearby.
Keith Breslauer, Managing Director of Patron Capital, said: “Proud that the Women in Safe Homes fund’s first homes with housing partner Refuge, have been completed. They will provide much needed sanctuaries for vulnerable women with children seeking a safe place to live. The homes have undergone a complete renovation and energy overhaul to ensure they are of the highest quality and are close to an array of local amenities. We couldn’t be happier that we have been able to lend our real estate expertise to support Resonance and Refuge in delivering these homes. Without a safe, secure place to live, women who are victims of domestic abuse find it much harder to care for children, gain employment, access healthcare, or arrange benefits. The Women in Safe Homes fund is aiming to tackle this significant issue, helping to improve lives across the UK and continue to highlight impottant societal problems that need addressing.”
WISH Senior Board of Advisors
- Alison Inman Past President, Chartered Institute of Housing
- Cherine Aboulzelof BGO Strategic Capital Partners
- Colette Cronshaw, Riverside Housing Association
- Ghada Sousou, Sousou Partners
- Jacinta Kent, Group Psychotherapist, Trainer and Facilitator
- Laura Dale-Harris, Social Finance and Reconnections
Investor Partners
