The Women In Safe Homes (WISH) Fund is believed to be the first gender-lens property fund, created to provide affordable, safe and secure homes for women who are experiencing homelessness, are ex-offenders, survivors of domestic abuse or have other complex needs.

Alongside the potential of a financial return for investors from rent and capital appreciation, the fund has a strong focus on achieving substantial positive social impact and may lead to further segmented funds as investors seek to align returns with social good.

This fund aims to provide around 750 affordable homes across the UK and has already formed its first partnership with leading women’s sector charity, Preston Road Women’s Centre in Hull.

Led by Patron Capital and social impact investment company Resonance the fund has a target size of £100m, backed by initial investment from Big Society Capital that developed the initial fund proposal, and has agreed in principal, a commitment of £10m.

Keith Breslauer, Managing Director of Patron Capital said: “This new venture, working alongside Resonance, will enable us to combine our extensive property investment expertise, granular approach and wide network of real estate and investment contacts with our desire to help those who need it the most.”

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