This master’s thesis addresses one of the most vulnerable and stigmatized social groups—homeless women who actively use drugs, with a particular focus on their experiences of living in mixed-gender homeless shelters. Through an empirical analysis based on a survey questionnaire administered among homeless women, the study examines the adequacy of existing shelter arrangements and their impact on women’s experiences of safety, stability, and everyday life. The findings indicate that mixed-gender shelters often do not provide a safe environment for women, as they are marked by experiences of violence, feelings of threat, lack of privacy, and inadequate living arrangements—particularly the requirement to leave the shelter during the day. The research identifies a clear need for establishing women-only shelters as well as dedicated day centres for women. The study is theoretically grounded in feminist social work, the concept of hidden homelessness, and low-threshold and harm reduction approaches. Although the participants’ lives are shaped by violence, trauma, poverty, and addiction, the research also highlights a strong presence of survival resilience among the women.
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