Created to provide secure housing for women at risk of homelessness, domestic abuse survivors, and others with complex needs in the UK, private equity firm Patron Capital's Women in Safe Homes fund has raised £29 million ($36.2 million) and houses over 120 women and children.

Launched in partnership with social impact property fund manager Resonance in 2020, the fund has raised £29 million to provide 120-150 affordable homes for more than 1,000 to 1,500 women over its lifetime.

The fund works differently from most property funds in that it purchases and refurbishes properties, which are then leased to women's sector organisations and charities who in turn provide housing and access to services for women and allow them to maintain a tenancy.

Over the last year, the fund has scaled up implementation as the initial planning phase ended and it went from having 13 women housed in March 2022 to 71 in March 2023. Currently, it has acquired 58 properties, with a further 50 properties in the pipeline.

"Beyond the statistics of £29 million raised and 120 lives housed, this award recognises the fund's profound commitment to addressing the pressing issues of domestic abuse, homelessness, and gender-specific housing challenges," said Keith Breslauer, managing director of Patron Capital.

Its impact can be seen in the women it has helped, of the women housed 87% say they feel safe in their new homes compared with 75% in 2022, while over 90% say they feel healthy and empowered.

One IMPACT Awards judge described the fund as having a "very compelling impact strategy as well as outcomes".

In addition, the fund aims to improve the environmental credentials of the buildings it acquires during its refurbishment and management. It targets improving a property's Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating. Currently, 93% of its property portfolio has an EPC of C and above, while 21% improved their rating during refurbishment.