
- WOMEN IN SAFE HOMES FUND
2024-2025
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
Properties purchased with full deployment of the fund
95%
Agreed they felt safe living
in their home and it’s suitable for their needs
€29M
500+
Women & children have been housed who suffered domestic abuse or are ex-offenders
2024-2025
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. The fund has now purchased 122 affordable homes, benefitting over 500 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.
- 22% shortfall in number of refuge spaces available.
- Only 11% of emergency homelessness services offer single sex accommodation.
- 40.6% of women were turned away at first referrals due to services being unable to meet their needs.
- 57.2% of refuge referrals were declined in 2019/20 (18.1 % of all referrals turned down due to lack of capacity in refuges).
- 35% of families experiencing homelessness say their children do not have their own bed.
OUR GOALS
The Fund's Impact
The Fund is proud to have housed over 500 women and children since being launched. Helping those 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.
Now fully deployed, having purchasing all 122 properties for its 9 housing partners which include refuges, 1-3 bed properties and family homes. The first tenants moved into their homes in Autumn 2021.
Other notable positive impacts that the fund has had so far include:
- The majority of properties have now been handed over to partners with a small number completing refurbishment.
- 9 housing partners
- 20 impact investors
- 95% of women agreed or strongly agreed that they felt safe in their home (2024/25 survey)
Lina's Story
Poppy’s Story
Poppy is currently living in a refuge. She arrived during the second lockdown after fleeing her abusive partner. She was diagnosed with PTSD after suffering severe coercive and controlling behaviour.
“Finding accommodation in a refuge was a blessing in disguise. I was in a horrible situation, but I can honestly say that Refuge saved me. The staff here are so supportive and helpful. I received support to find a therapist very quickly, which is not easy during the pandemic. The staff helped me with everything from sorting my benefits and registering with a GP, to supporting me through the daily struggle of rebuilding my life.“
Sharon’s Story
Sharon fled to a refuge with her children during lockdown to escape her abusive husband.
“I fled an abusive relationship which had been hell on earth, but there was a normality in that abuse and it was only when it got worse and my children were obviously suffering that I had to flee. The thought of a refuge and the unknown was at times even more frightening, but I plucked up courage and left.
I was met by warm and friendly staff who understood what we had been through. They were able to provide my children and me with support and guidance with housing and counselling, and support with my court cases. I cannot thank them enough for helping me to turn this nightmare around, giving me the confidence to start again and rebuild my children’s and my life again.“
Elsa's story
For Elsa, WISH has ensured that she is empowered to begin planning steps towards a career and financial independence.
“I have become more confident in meeting new people and am able to independently look for work and I have completed a hairdressing course and a customer services course. I am now able to live a life free of abuse and harm. My future plans are to get a good job and gain financial independence, to become independent and tenancy ready so I am able to manage my own tenancy and to enjoy a life free of abuse and maintain my safety. I want my son to have the best start in life and thrive in his education.”

2025
Social Impact – Ownership & Investment
(WISH)

2025
Impact Company of the Year
(WISH)

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)


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
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
