Deputy Mayor says safe housing key to tackling abuse and homelessness in York
Jo Coles has visited new accommodation for vulnerable women in the City
Last updated 19th Aug 2025
North Yorkshire's Deputy Mayor for Policing, Fire and Crime, Jo Coles, has warned that too many women are forced to remain with abusers simply to keep a roof over their heads.
Speaking on a visit to a new women’s accommodation project in York, Jo Coles said providing safe housing is “essential” to tackling both homelessness and violence against women and girls.
"We know that some women who face homelessness can remain living with perpetrators of abuse to keep a roof over their heads, and that women in unstable housing are at a greater risk of offending," she said. "Ensuring vulnerable women have a safe place to live is essential and this pilot project will contribute towards that aim."
The new service, run by Changing Lives, offers nine units of supported housing for women facing multiple challenges, including exploitation, abuse and offending. Backed by £50,000 of joint funding from the York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority and HM Prison & Probation Service, the 12-month pilot aims to create safe living spaces while also offering tailored support.
Jo Coles said the project supports the Combined Authority’s wider goal of halving violence against women and girls in the region. “This pilot scheme will help us to better understand the level of need for this type of accommodation here in York and North Yorkshire and shape what we do in the future. I look forward to hearing how the project progresses.”
Elaine Colleran, Senior Area Contract Manager at HM Prison & Probation Service, said:
“HM Prison & Probation Service is pleased to be working in partnership with the York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority and Changing Lives to support this important pilot initiative.
“We recognise that women experiencing homelessness often face multiple and complex challenges, including trauma, exploitation, and contact with the criminal justice system. Providing safe, gender-informed accommodation is a critical step in helping women to stabilise their lives, reduce their risk of reoffending, and access the support they need to move forward.
“This pilot reflects our commitment to commissioning services that protect the public, reduce reoffending, and support rehabilitation. We look forward to seeing the impact this provision will have on the lives of the women it serves and using the learning to inform future service development across the region.”