'I can choose my own life again': More than 60 at-risk women and children rehomed in Edinburgh as part of £7.7m fund
The initiative was launched by investment firms Resonance and Patron Capital in partnership with homelessness charity Cyrenians
More than 60 women and children at risk of domestic violence and homelessness have been rehomed in Edinburgh following a multi-million pound investment scheme.
The ‘Women In Safe Homes Fund’ was launched by investment firm Resonance in partnership with Patron Capital and delivered £7.7 million to help rehome women and children via a scheme run by homelessness charity Cyrenians.
The project was launched in 2023 and the final property was filled last month.
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One of those women who were helped by the scheme to rehome at-risk women and children was mum-of-two Hanna.
Hanna found herself fleeing domestic violence and was able to move into a new property with her children in the Capital after gaining help from the Women In Safe Homes Fund.
She said: “Having a place to live has made us feel positive again, and the children have started to get their confidence back.
“Since moving into the flat, I’ve started to feel that I can make decisions for myself and choose my own life again.”
Alongside a roof over their head, everyone who moves into a Cyrenians home is also offered access to specialist support to help them with mental health, living independently and financial independence.
Amy Hutton, Director of Services at Cyrenians, said: “Safe, stable housing is the foundation for rebuilding lives.
“For the women and children we support, having a place to call home means more than just a roof over their heads - it brings security, dignity and the chance to begin again.
“This partnership with the Women in Safe Homes fund allows us to reach more families at a critical moment, providing not only high-quality homes but the tailored support needed to help them move towards a more positive and independent future.”
The properties that women and children have been rehomed in are a mixture of one-bedroom, two-bedroom, and three-bedroom homes across the city.
Part of the fund has gone towards refurbishing the properties to bring them up to scratch for the new residents.
Tom Compton, Property Fund Manager for Resonance’s Women in Safe Homes fund, said: “This investment shows how social impact capital can play a meaningful role in tackling homelessness among women and children.
“By working with Cyrenians, we’re able to ensure these homes are not only safe and good quality, but also part of a wider support system that helps people rebuild their lives.”
Mr Compton added: “The Women in Safe Homes fund is focused on delivering long-term change, and projects like this demonstrate how investment can create both social impact and sustainable housing solutions for those who need them most.”
Juan Du, Investment Director at Patron Capital, concluded: “Embedding positive social impact into every business decision is fundamental to how we operate at Patron.
“The Women in Safe Homes fund is a powerful example of how capital can be deployed with purpose, providing safe, secure housing for vulnerable women when they need it most, while setting a benchmark for what socially responsible real estate investment can achieve.”