1. Homelessness Policy Context
What are the key issues facing the sector?
Let’s end homelessness together

2. Homeless Link Who we are
The national membership charity for organisations working with people who experience homelessness in England.
We work to make services better and campaign for policy change that will help end homelessness.
Let’s end homelessness together

3. Current context Rising numbers, increasing demand www.homeless.org.uk
Chart 1: rough sleeping in England
Source: DCLG
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4. Statutory homelessness
Applications and acceptances
In Q1 2016, compared to the same period the
previous year:
More people applying as homeless (up 5%)
West Midlands third highest number of applications after London and the South East
31% become homeless due to end of their AST
More households in temporary accommodation (up 11%)
More households in B&Bs (up 13%)
Source: DCLG
Let’s end homelessness together

5. The homelessness sector
What is available?
2010
1,461 projects
2015
1,185 projects
down19%
Projects
2010
43,655 spaces
2015
35,727 spaces
Bed spaces
down18%
2010
187 centres
2015
214 centres
Day centres
up 14%
Source: HEng
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6. 32% mental health problems
Who is homeless?
Clients in accommodation projects
72% male
45% under-25
23% offending history
16% ex-rough sleepers
32% mental health problems
31% drug issues
23% alcohol issues
Client profile has remained fairly consistent over the years
Source: Annual review 2016
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7. What are the critical issues today?
National policy context
Spending Review:
£139m to help those at risk of homelessness and rough sleepers over next four years
Homelessness prevention grant protected
BUT no ring fence.
Local investment?
In 2015, 47% of services reported a reduction in their funding compared to the previous year. The average decrease was 19%.
Let’s end homelessness together

8. What are the critical issues today?
Welfare Changes
Risks to financial viability of supported accommodation
Reduction of social rents by 1%
Cap on the amount of rent that Housing Benefit will cover in the social sector to Local Housing Allowance.
Rental income would reduce by half
Most services say they’ll be forced to close
An alternative system and long term strategy needed
Let’s end homelessness together

9. Access to housing Affordability and access
In 2015, 30% of clients were ready to move on but couldn’t, up 5% on 2015
While regional variation, lack of affordable accommodation was the main barrier. Quality and suitability also key.
Will the Housing Bill make a difference?
Some measures to address conditions and rogue landlords in the PRS
New measures of ‘affordability’ out of reach of our client group
Low cost homes still in chronically short supply
Let’s end homelessness together

10. Looking beyond housing
Health & employment key parts of the picture
‘For work to really help me out of homelessness, I need a living wage’
‘We need a better work ready programme for people who become homeless’
80% people experiencing homelessness report an issue related to their mental health
44% report a long term physical health problem
Let’s end homelessness together

11. On the horizon
What might make a difference?
Prevention, prevention, prevention: in practice and potential legislation?
Making what’s there work better, and developing new models and approaches
A renewed focus on partnership (and with the unusual suspects)
Let’s end homelessness together

12. Questions?
Please check latest news and briefings on
For regional and local breakdowns of homelessness data visit
Let’s end homelessness together