It is definitely harder being homeless as a women as there are not many female hostels about, especially for women with complex needs. This often means that the only option is to go into mixed hostels where you’re at risk of being groomed and prostituted.

Men pray on vulnerable women a lot on the streets. When I was homeless, men and people from other countries were given priority into the night shelter connections. I had to wait to get a local connection which took six months but that was in Westminster.

It could have been different if I went to another area or a specialist women’s centre but I wasn’t offered any advice on where to go. I know of the one in Marylebone now.