A supported accommodation scheme for homeless women in Sheffield has secured £1.25 million in continued funding.

Jo Meagher, Director of the Young Women’s Housing Project—a Sheffield-based charity supporting women through safe, supported accommodation said: “Safe, supported accommodation is essential for women facing homelessness, especially those affected by domestic abuse, trauma, or other complex challenges.”

Initially set to end this year, the scheme will now continue after councillors voted on Thursday, 24 April, to extend the contract for another five years.

Speaking after the meeting Councillor Douglas Johnson, Chair of the Housing Policy Committee, welcomed the decision and said: “Like anyone else who becomes homeless, the council has a legal duty to assess their needs and help with rehousing.”

Jo Meagher said: “Sheffield City Council currently funds a number of specialist accommodation services for women. To be truly effective, these services must be trauma-informed and delivered within a psychologically informed environment.”

The service will now receive £250,000 per year for five years to ensure ongoing support for some of the city’s most vulnerable residents.

The supported service plays a key role in helping women, including those with young children, transition to independent living and rebuild their lives and forms part of sheffield’s wider plan to end homelessness.

Jo Meagher added: “Without access to such support, many women face unsafe living conditions or rough sleeping, significantly increasing their risk of exploitation, harm, and chronic homelessness.

Council officers had warned that without the renewed funding, it would become increasingly difficult to find safe placements for women at risk.

This increases pressure on already strained social care and domestic abuse services

Mr Johnson added: “Although homeless women can be accommodated in other emergency housing, it doesn’t provide the additional support and a secure environment where they can rebuild their lives.

At the meeting of Sheffield City Council’s Housing Policy Committee on April 24, Head of City Wide Housing Services, Suzanne Allen said: “ I want to emphasise how important this legislation is for vulnerable people living in accommodation which isn’t of sufficient quality or providing support that is required at a cost that is far to high for them.”

Residents needing help can contact Housing Solutions on 0114 273 6306 or the Council Housing Service on 0114 293 0000