BWC announce three-year grant to tackle underlying causes of women’s homelessness in Brighton & Hove

We are delighted to announce that BWC (Brighton Women’s Centre) is a preferred bidder for the Government’s Ending Homelessness in Communities Fund 2026 to 2029. The grant, given by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, is part of the Ending Homelessness in Communities Fund.

This three-year grant will enable BWC to strengthen and expand its Women’s Accommodation Support Service (WASS), allowing the organisation to reach more women who are experiencing, or at risk of homelessness across Brighton & Hove and surrounding areas.

To that end, this funding will allow BWC to recruit additional Women’s Accommodation Support Workers to provide more gender specific, trauma informed casework support for women who are homeless, insecurely housed, or at risk of losing their accommodation. Women’s Accommodation Support Workers co-produce support and action plans with women that are based on the development of a safe and trusted relationship with the overarching aim of improving safety and preventing rough sleeping. Our trauma-informed approach allows each woman to re-connect with her strengths and build on them, so that she can recognise her choices and regain control over her life.

In addition to expanding this crucial capacity, the funding will support further development of BWC’s partnership work with the Network of International Women, to run weekly Increasing Economic Independence drop-in sessions at BWC’s headquarters at Globe House, to address some of the key underlying causes of women’s homelessness such as economic abuse, debt and poverty.

Of the grant, Ruth Britsch, Joint Head of Services at BWC said; “We are so excited to receive this funding. Demand for our service has far outstripped capacity for many years now and this funding will allow us to respond to that need. The additional funds will enable us to provide casework support to more of the women already reaching out for support through our Drop-In hubs, other BWC services and professional referrals. It will also importantly allow us to offer more co-location and outreach to meet homeless and insecurely housed women in the community.”

BWC Director, Lisa Dando, added – it is very pleasing that MHCLG has recognised and is investing in the work we have been doing with Brighton and Hove City Council and partners, to ensure women who are homeless are supported into safe and secure accommodation. We look forward to continuing to work together in partnership to make a difference to women’s lives.