Haringey Council has been unable to secure a provider for housing support services specifically tailored for young women, raising concerns about the future of this vital service.

The decision was made during a Cabinet Member Signing meeting on Tuesday, 8 July 2025, where Councillor Sarah Williams, Cabinet Member for Housing and Planning (Deputy Leader), approved contracts for Housing Related Support Services for the Young People's Supported Housing Pathway. However, no suitable bids were received for Lot 3, the Young Women's Service. According to the Equality Impact Assessment for the Young People Pathway, two organisations submitted tenders for Lot 3, but they did not meet the required quality assessment threshold to progress through the evaluation process.

The Young People's Supported Housing Pathway aims to provide a route to independence for young people at risk of homelessness and care leavers, equipping them with the skills necessary for independent living. The services were divided into four lots: generic visiting support, unaccompanied asylum-seeking children, young women's service, and Housing First for care leavers.

According to the Public Reports Pack, Councillor Williams approved contracts for the other three lots, but noted that no suitable bids received for Lot 3 (Young Women's Service) and a separate procurement process may be carried out to recommission this service subject to availability of funding. The minutes of the meeting stated that the Young People's Supported Housing Pathway aims to provide a pathway to independence for young people at risk of homelessness and care leavers, helping them build the skills necessary for independent living.

The council's reasons for the decision to proceed with the other lots included the increased duties towards young people resulting from changes to the Homelessness Reduction Act 2018 and the Children and Social Work Act 2017. The council also stated that the existing contracts are expiring with no extension available, and that the tender process ensured that the council secures high-quality, cost-effective services that meet statutory obligations.

Concerns have been raised about the potential consequences for young women in Haringey if the Young Women's Service is not recommissioned. Without access to dedicated supported housing, young women may face:

  • Unsafe or unsuitable accommodation.
  • Being forced to return to abusive environments.
  • Experiencing street homelessness, increasing vulnerability to violence and exploitation.

Supported housing often provides more than shelter, including education, employment support, life skills training, and mental health support. Losing access to these services can widen existing inequalities, making it harder for young women to achieve independence and stability.

In the interim, while the council considers a separate procurement process, the council plans to mitigate the risk of client displacement into inappropriate services by:

  • Utilising women's-only provision via internally delivered services such as Burgoyne Road and Ella House, ensuring the support delivered is appropriate and can meet the needs of young women.
  • Ensuring appropriate risk assessments are conducted for this client group, particularly regarding the risk of exploitation.
  • Seeking to develop intergenerational schemes that are supportive and empowering to young women.

The Public Reports Pack notes that the recommission of this service is subject to availability of funding.

Alternative options considered by the council included doing nothing, which was rejected because it would lead to service disruption and put vulnerable young people at risk of homelessness. Delivering the services in-house was also considered, but it was deemed less advantageous due to accommodation and budget constraints.

The Equality Impact Assessment was carried out for the recommissioning of the Housing Related Young Peoples Homeless Pathway Support Services.