A briefing paper examined how homelessness was defined and measured, and set out some of the most up-to-date figures and trends.
Source: Homelessness: Trends and Projections, Homeless Link/Shelter/Crisis/St Mungo's
Links: Briefing
Date: 2010-Dec
A briefing paper examined government policy on tackling statutory homelessness in England.
Source: Wendy Wilson, Homelessness in England, Standard Note SN/SP/1164, House of Commons Library
Links: Briefing paper
Date: 2010-Dec
An article examined the effectiveness of the approach to helping homeless people adopted by the Emmaus communities, in which the role of work and community living were central. It considered what lessons could be learned for wider housing and worklessness policy. Although not suitable for all, Emmaus communities showed that even some of the most marginalized homeless people could benefit from work. They also highlighted the complementary and interdependent nature of work, housing, and relationships in addressing severe social exclusion.
Source: Anna Clarke, 'Work as a route out of homelessness: a case study of Emmaus communities', People, Place & Policy, Volume 4 Issue 3
Links: Article
Date: 2010-Dec
A report provided an overview of research on homelessness in the European Union. There was considerable evidence on homelessness in Europe: but knowledge remained very uneven, with a lack of data and understanding on some aspects of homelessness. There was relatively little research in the south and in the central and east European member states.
Source: Volker Busch-Geertsema, William Edgar, Eoin O'Sullivan and Nicholas Pleace, Homelessness and Homeless Policies in Europe: Lessons from research, FEANTSA (European Federation of National Organisations Working with the Homeless)
Links: Report
Date: 2010-Dec
A briefing paper examined the problem of rough sleeping and outlined government policy on the issue.
Source: Wendy Wilson, Rough Sleeping, Standard Note SN/SP/2007, House of Commons Library
Links: Briefing paper
Date: 2010-Dec
A briefing paper examined the issue of homeless households being placed in bed-and-breakfast accommodation by English local authorities.
Source: Wendy Wilson, Homelessness Households in Temporary Accommodation (England), Standard Note SN/SP/2110, House of Commons Library
Links: Briefing paper
Date: 2010-Dec
A report highlighted the important role that intensive one-to-one support could play in helping homeless young people address a range of issues, and filling the 'void' that family breakdown and homelessness could create.
Source: The Changing Face of Youth Homelessness: Trends in homeless young people's support needs, Centrepoint
Links: Report | Centrepoint press release
Date: 2010-Dec
A report examined single homelessness over the period 2000-2010. There was evidence that the single homeless population continued to grow more diverse: the proportion of men was falling, there was an over-representation of people with black ethnic origins, and there was evidence of homelessness among recent migrants.
Source: Anwen Jones and Nicholas Pleace, A Review of Single Homelessness in the UK 2000-2010, Crisis
Links: Report | Summary | Inside Housing report
Date: 2010-Dec
An evidence review examined the relationship between domestic abuse, housing, and homelessness in Scotland.
Source: Domestic Abuse, Housing and Homelessness in Scotland: An Evidence Review, Scottish Government
Links: Report
Date: 2010-Nov
A report examined the impact of a pilot project offering personalized budgets to rough sleepers. Long-term personalized support was needed to encourage participants to remain in accommodation. Both participants and professionals involved believed that the approach could work with other rough sleepers. The personalized approach brought elements of choice and control not provided by standard support.
Source: Juliette Hough and Becky Rice, Providing Personalised Support to Rough Sleepers: An evaluation of the City of London pilot, Joseph Rowntree Foundation
Date: 2010-Oct
The new coalition government announced (following consultation) an overhaul of the way in which local areas assessed the number of people sleeping rough. All councils across England would in future be required to provide information on rough sleeping – not just councils in presumed 'hotspot' areas. Local areas themselves – councils working with local voluntary agencies – would decide how to do this, rather than following central government regulations.
Source: Evaluating the Extent of Rough Sleeping: A new approach, Department for Communities and Local Government
Links: Guidance | Consultation responses | DCLG press release | Inside Housing report
Date: 2010-Sep
A briefing note provided background information on the problem of rough sleeping and outlined government policy on the issue.
Source: Wendy Wilson, Rough Sleepers, Standard Note SN/SP/2007, House of Commons Library
Links: Briefing paper
Date: 2010-Aug
New official estimates suggested that the number of people in England sleeping rough could be three times the figure recorded by local councils. A linked consultation document said that local authorities should consider adjusting the timing of counts to include rough sleepers who bed down later, and that neighbouring authorities should consider holding counts on the same night.
Source: Rough Sleeping England: Total Street Count 2010, Department for Communities and Local Government | Proposed Changes to Guidance on Evaluating the Extent of Rough Sleeping: Consultation, Department for Communities and Local Government
Links: Report (Spreadsheet) | Consultation document | DCLG press release | Inside Housing report
Date: 2010-Jul
A report examined the evidence base regarding the effectiveness of both 'orthodox' and 'innovative' models of supported housing for homeless people with complex support needs.
Source: Sarah Johnsen and Ligia Teixeira, Staircases, Elevators and Cycles of Change: Housing first and other housing models for homeless people with complex support needs, Crisis
Date: 2010-Jul
A study examined the role of faith-based organizations in homelessness provision.
Source: Sarah Johnsen with Suzanne Fitzpatrick, The Role of Faith-Based Organisations in the Provision of Services for Homeless People, Chartered Institute of Housing
Links: Summary
Date: 2010-Apr
A briefing note examined the problem of rough sleeping, and outlined government policy on the issue.
Source: Wendy Wilson, Rough Sleepers, Standard Note SN/SP/2007, House of Commons Library
Links: Briefing paper
Date: 2010-Apr
An article examined the concept of 'responsible citizenship' in relation to people who were affected by homelessness and other dimensions of 'deep' social exclusion. The problems and vulnerabilities associated with entrenched and chronic homelessness remained a significant obstacle to social inclusion and meaningful participation in community life.
Source: Martin Whiteford, 'Hot tea, dry toast and the responsibilisation of homeless people', Social Policy and Society, Volume 9 Issue 2
Links: Abstract
Date: 2010-Apr
There were 53,370 households in England at the end of 2009 living in accommodation arranged by local authorities under the statutory homelessness provisions (down 21 per cent on a year earlier).
Source: Statutory Homelessness: England Fourth Quarter 2009, Department for Communities and Local Government
Links: Report | DCLG press release | Inside Housing report
Date: 2010-Mar
A study examined the health needs and relative healthcare costs of people who were homeless or living in certain types of insecure or short-term accommodation. This group used around 4 times more acute hospital services than the general population. For inpatient costs, the figure rose to 8 times when the client group was compared with the general population aged 16-64. The most common reasons for admission included toxicity, alcohol, drugs, and mental health problems.
Source: Healthcare for Single Homeless People, Department of Health
Links: Report
Date: 2010-Mar
A briefing paper examined government policy on tackling statutory homelessness in England.
Source: Wendy Wilson, Homelessness in England, Standard Note SN/SP/1164, House of Commons Library
Links: Briefing paper
Date: 2010-Mar
A study examined the factors that increased or decreased the likelihood of socially excluded adults finding settled and suitable accommodation.
Source: Opinion Leader, PSA 16 (Socially Excluded Adults) Qualitative Research on Settled Accommodation, Department for Communities and Local Government
Links: Report | Appendices
Date: 2010-Mar
