Tackling homelessness: What more can we do?

This year’s UK Housing Review shows that homelessness remains stubbornly high across the UK, particularly in England, where there have been year-on-year increases for the past six years. It is disheartening and difficult to see such statistics, especially when so many in the housing sector work tirelessly to prevent or reduce homelessness. 

In England, the government has recently published A National Plan to End Homelessness, an ambitious strategy based upon five key pillars. Whilst some argue that it does not go far enough, it is important to recognise the government’s commitment to ending homelessness through targeted action and partnership working. It is essential that we all respond to this strategy and consider new, innovative ways to support households at risk of, or experiencing, homelessness. Many providers in the sector will already have their own strategies and plans. However, now is the time to take stock of our approaches and determine how we can be more effective and tackle homelessness with renewed focus and vigour.

Effective, targeted prevention must be a key part of any plan. It is well documented that the cost of living crisis continues to place unimaginable stress on the poorest households, a situation likely to be exacerbated with planned rent increases and higher energy costs with the current conflict in the Middle East. Housing providers must fully understand how these financial pressures affect tenants and be committed to developing meaningful tenancy sustainment services for the most vulnerable households, supported by the right resources. 

The reliance on the use of bed and breakfasts (B&B) as temporary accommodation continues to be an area of concern, despite a small fall since 2024/25. There is significant evidence (National Child Mortality Database), that living in temporary accommodation has been a contributing factor in child deaths. It also contributes to poorer educational outcomes. Despite this, homeless households, including families with children, are still placed into poor-quality temporary accommodation such as B&Bs. Not only does this deliver poor outcomes for vulnerable families, it is also extremely costly, putting financial pressures on councils and limiting the resources available for other essential services.

Housing providers need to work closely with local authority partners and think innovatively about how they can contribute constructively to the experiences of homeless households. Providers could consider new service models with high‑quality accommodation at the heart. 

The partnership between emh and Northwest Leicestershire District Council offers a model that mirrors supported housing services already delivered across the sector, making it feasible to be replicated elsewhere.

A key distinction is that Northwest Leicestershire does not discharge its homelessness duties by placing households directly into our scheme. Instead, emh supports the council to meet its legal duties by providing high-quality temporary accommodation whilst homelessness investigations are ongoing, or after a full duty has been accepted but before a suitable permanent offer is made. This approach enables quicker move‑on and prevents the build‑up of delays that affect many similar services.

Tenancy sustainability – a case study

Emh has signed up to the Homes for Cathy Commitments – an effective framework on which to focus our efforts in preventing homelessness through the delivery of multiple approaches to tenancy sustainment.

A case study from a rough sleeper scheme in Leicester, demonstrates the key role of multi-agency partnerships in improving long-term opportunities. Our service users, partners aged 32 and 40 years old, have both been impacted by childhood trauma which still requires therapeutic intervention. The couple have misused substances previously and were referred to our rough sleeper service by the local authority.

They previously slept rough, lived in bed and breakfasts, hotels, hostels for a while before coming to the project. Their ordeal started when one of their siblings decided to sell their family house without consulting the family.

Their dedicated rough sleeper worker adopted a person-centred and non-judgmental approach to support the couple while respecting their individuality. Initially, the couple were hesitant, but over time, they began to trust and engage freely. 

Our service supported them to deal with their past trauma by creating a trauma-informed environment where they can heal and flourish. The service has an open-door policy where they can drop in to discuss their concerns. 

Their outlook on life has become more promising and with support they are managing their money, maintaining a healthy lifestyle and their mental health is improving. 

Partnership working in action

At emh, we have worked with councils in Leicestershire to provide homes through the government’s Rough Sleeper Accommodation Project (RSAP) applying the ‘Housing First’ model. Using government funding, we purchased six flats and worked with local councils to identify people who would benefit most from the programme.

Before anyone moved into their home, we made sure it was fully equipped with everything required to make a house a home, easing the transition into housing, and providing intensive support to ensure they gain the skills to live independently. Once moved in, these residents will stay in their new home for two years, gaining skills before being supported to find another home and live independently. Steve, an emh resident, said:

My support worker has really worked on gaining my trust – he always follows through on what he says he’s going to do. By helping me to get out into the community, he’s really helped me feel a part of society again – that’s something I lost while I was homeless.

There won’t be a single solution to ending homelessness; its complexity demands a range of models, tailored interventions and flexible approaches. But clearly when the sector commits to working collaboratively, thinking differently and investing in the right resources, we can begin to shift the dial. Real progress starts with collective ambition, and the courage to do things differently.

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