Background 

Pan-European investor Patron Capital operates on the principle of doing social good with every business action. This philosophy inspired one of its most ambitious and pioneering projects, the Women in Safe Homes fund, created in partnership with Resonance. The fund addresses the urgent need for safe, secure accommodation for women and children escaping domestic abuse, homelessness and other complex challenges.

The scale of the problem is profound. In 2024, 1.6 million women in the UK experienced domestic abuse and 60% of homeless adults in temporary accommodation were women. Recognising that traditional property models were failing vulnerable groups, Patron set out to redefine responsible investment, deploying capital for measurable social change.

The fund aims to create 122 homes for more than 1,000 women, using a gender-lens investment strategy that aligned financial returns with life-changing outcomes.

Approach 

Patron combined social purpose with rigorous business discipline. Working with housing and charity partners, it identified and refurbished properties across the UK to high environmental standards. These homes are leased to partners who provide secure tenancies and wraparound support, helping women rebuild their lives with dignity and stability.

A defining feature is its all-women advisory board – the first of its kind in an impact investment fund – bringing together experts from the women’s sector and those with lived experience of homelessness to ensure decisions reflect the realities of those the fund serves.

“From capital to care, Patron turned investment into impact, creating safe, sustainable homes for women and children across the UK”

Sustainability is built in, with properties upgraded from EPC D/E to A–C, cutting energy use and bills. An annual impact report produced with Resonance measures outcomes across five principles: recognising women’s oppression, aligned investment, appropriate scaling, empowerment and inspiration. Seeded with £1m from Patron’s Managing Director Keith Breslauer and £1.5m in anchor funding, the fund has now attracted over £29m from 20 investors, including Comic Relief and Barrow Cadbury Trust.

Outcome

As of November 2025, the fund has provided safe homes for more than 650 women and children. Some 96% of tenants say their home meets their needs and 96% said their home helped them access the support they need. The fund has achieved its target of 122 properties, with 94% now rated EPC C or above.

The fund’s structure also strengthens its charity partners’ resilience, enabling them to scale services sustainably. Ella’s, for instance, has opened a third safe home in London.

Patron has proven that social purpose and financial performance can coexist. The Women in Safe Homes fund is now a model for impact investing that empowers women, builds community resilience and sets a new benchmark for responsible business.

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