An article examined the validity of the European Typology of Homelessness and Housing Exclusion (ETHOS), and proposed a modified approach to conceptualizing homelessness.
Source: Kate Amore, Michael Baker, and Philippa Howden-Chapman, 'The ETHOS definition and classification of homelessness: an analysis', European Journal of Homelessness, Volume 5, Issue 2
Links: Article
Date: 2011-Dec
An article examined the evidence for the efficacy of the 'Pathways Housing First' model from a European perspective. It questioned whether the policy and research focus on Housing First was overemphasizing one aspect of the wider social problem of homelessness.
Source: Nicholas Pleace, 'The ambiguities, limits and risks of Housing First from a European perspective', European Journal of Homelessness, Volume 5, Issue 2
Links: Article
Notes: The 'Pathways Housing First' model (mainly used in the United States) is designed to move homeless people with sustained experiences of living rough, with problematic drug and alcohol use, and with severe mental illness, straight into ordinary housing, and successfully sustain them in that housing.
Date: 2011-Dec
A study found that youth homelessness was rising in England, with nearly one-half of homeless services and local councils reporting an increase in young people seeking help. The report highlighted the difficulty that agencies had experienced in responding to this extra demand.
Source: Young & Homeless: A survey of services and local authorities, Homeless Link
Links: Report | Homeless Link press release | Guardian report
Date: 2011-Dec
A briefing paper set out the interim findings of a study investigating homeless mortality in England. The average age of death of a homeless person was 47, and for homeless women just 43, compared with 77 for the general population.
Source: Bethan Thomas, Homelessness: A Silent Killer – A research briefing on mortality amongst homeless people, Crisis
Links: Briefing | Crisis press release | St Mungos press release | BBC report | Guardian report | Inside Housing report | Telegraph report
Date: 2011-Dec
An article examined the lack of 'psychologically informed' practice within existing approaches to homelessness and mental health.
Source: Martin Seager, 'Homelessness is more than houselessness: a psychologically-minded approach to inclusion and rough sleeping', Mental Health and Social Inclusion, Volume 15 Number 4
Links: Abstract
Date: 2011-Nov
An article examined how interagency working was achieved between statutory and voluntary sector services concerned with improving the health of people experiencing homelessness.
Source: Louise Joly, Claire Goodman, Katherine Froggatt, and Vari Drennan, ' Interagency working to support the health of people who are homeless', Social Policy and Society, Volume 10 Issue 4
Links: Abstract
Date: 2011-Oct
A report examined how and why rough sleeping was increasing in England. It drew on national surveys of street outreach workers and rough sleepers, as well as personal testimonies. Outreach workers from every region reporting seeing an increasing number of rough sleepers, and most stated that there was not enough emergency accommodation available.
Source: Battered, Broken, Bereft: Why people still end up sleeping rough, St. Mungo's
Links: Report | St Mungos press release | Inside Housing report
Date: 2011-Oct
An article presented preliminary results from a multi-stage quantitative study of 'multiple exclusion homelessness' in 7 urban locations. There was a very high degree of overlap between a range of experiences associated with 'deep social exclusion' – namely, homelessness, substance misuse, institutional care, and 'street culture' activities (such as begging and street drinking).
Source: Suzanne Fitzpatrick, Sarah Johnsen, and Michael White, ' Multiple exclusion homelessness in the UK: key patterns and intersections', Social Policy and Society, Volume 10 Issue 4
Links: Abstract
Date: 2011-Oct
An article drew on preliminary findings from a two-year exploratory study to describe how different agencies and professionals worked together to identify and manage the intersections between homelessness and other facets of deep social exclusion.
Source: Michelle Cornes, Louise Joly, Jill Manthorpe, Sue O'Halloran, and Rob Smyth, ' Working together to address multiple exclusion homelessness', Social Policy and Society, Volume 10 Issue 4
Links: Abstract
Date: 2011-Oct
An article presented interim findings and reflections from a case study of multiply excluded homeless young people living in a YMCA hostel.
Source: Peter Somerville, Philip Brown, Gareth Morris, and Lisa Scullion, ' Young people living in the YMCA', Social Policy and Society, Volume 10 Issue 4
Links: Abstract
Date: 2011-Oct
The coalition government announced plans (in the form of amendments to its own Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Bill) to: make squatting in residential buildings a criminal offence; strengthen people's rights to use force to defend themselves from intruders in their own home; and ban referral fees that allowed people to profit from encouraging others to make unnecessary compensation claims.
Source: Press release 26 October 2011, Ministry of Justice
Links: MOJ press release | Law Society press release | HOC research brief | Guardian report | Inside Housing report
Date: 2011-Oct
An article examined the range of policies introduced by the former Labour government (1997-2010) that drew connexions between homelessness and employment strategies. This approach could be understood as part of a wider set of therapeutic interventions that aimed to support clients with multiple support needs, albeit with somewhat coercive and regulatory overtones.
Source: Rachael Dobson and Jenny McNeill, ' Homelessness and housing support services: rationales and policies under New Labour', Social Policy and Society, Volume 10 Issue 4
Links: Abstract
Date: 2011-Oct
An article examined gender as a variable in multiple exclusion homelessness in England.
Source: Graham Bowpitt, Peter Dwyer, Eva Sundin, and Mark Weinstein, ' Comparing men's and women's experiences of multiple exclusion homelessness', Social Policy and Society, Volume 10 Issue 4
Links: Abstract
Date: 2011-Oct
A report provided a synthesis of research into the nature and extent of squatting. Squatting was a common response to homelessness, with evidence suggesting that 40 per cent of single homeless people squatted. Most homeless people who squatted had tried other avenues for resolving their housing problems before turning to squatting. Many squatters had significant welfare needs. Criminalizing squatting would criminalize a vulnerable homelessness population.
Source: Kesia Reeve, Squatting: A Homelessness Issue – An evidence review, Crisis
Links: Report | Crisis press release | Guardian report | Inside Housing report
Date: 2011-Oct
An article examined the changing motivations to enter paid work of a sample of 30 homeless and vulnerably housed people.
Source: Jenny McNeill, ' Employability pathways and perceptions of "work" amongst single homeless and vulnerably housed people', Social Policy and Society, Volume 10 Issue 4
Links: Abstract
Date: 2011-Oct
An article examined client-practitioner interaction in a drop-in centre for homeless people. Practitioners argued for: but also deviated from, conditional strategies that aspired to shape client behaviour.
Source: Rachael Dobson, ' Conditionality and homelessness services: "practice realities" in a drop-in centre', Social Policy and Society, Volume 10 Issue 4
Links: Abstract
Date: 2011-Oct
A series of articles examined multiple exclusion homelessness – the complex of problems experienced by rough sleepers.
Source: Social Policy and Society, Volume 10 Issue 4
Links: Table of contents
Date: 2011-Oct
A report highlighted concerns that the combination of the economic downturn and the weakening of welfare protections would cause all forms of homelessness to increase in England.
Source: Suzanne Fitzpatrick, Hal Pawson, Glen Bramley, and Steve Wilcox, The Homelessness Monitor: Tracking the Impacts of Policy and Economic Change in England 2011-2013 – Year 1: Establishing the Baseline, Crisis
Links: Summary | Crisis press release | Guardian report | Inside Housing report | Telegraph report
Date: 2011-Sep
A report examined the 'voices of experience' of people who drank on the streets, or who had done so. Most street drinkers wanted to change; and change, although hard, was possible, even for people who had became entrenched in a street drinking lifestyle. However, a lack of belief in the possibility of change (among individuals, peers, and also sometimes among support workers) could form a barrier to change.
Source: Juliette Hough and Becky Rice, Voices of Experience: How people who drink on the streets can make positive changes in their lives, Broadway Homelessness and Support
Links: Report
Date: 2011-Sep
A project examined how the criminal justice and homelessness sectors could work together to prevent homelessness and reoffending.
Source: Better Together: Preventing reoffending and homelessness, Homeless Link
Links: Report | Summary | Inside Housing report
Date: 2011-Sep
A report brought together evidence from a two-year programme of work on 'multiple exclusion' homelessness. It highlighted the prevalence of mental health issues, traumatic childhood experiences, and suicide attempts among people accessing low-level homelessness support services.
Source: Theresa McDonagh, Tackling Homelessness and Exclusion: Understanding complex lives, Joseph Rowntree Foundation
Links: Report | BASW press release | Community Care report
Date: 2011-Sep
A report examined the impact of being assessed as intentionally homeless on households in Wales.
Source: Jacqueline Aneen Campbell, The Impact of Intentional Homelessness Decisions on Welsh Households? Lives, Shelter Cymru
Date: 2011-Sep
A briefing paper examined the increase in numbers of homeless households in England placed in temporary accommodation, and outlined various initiatives to reduce those numbers.
Source: Wendy Wilson, Homelessness Households in Temporary Accommodation (England), Standard Note SN/SP/2110, House of Commons Library
Links: Briefing paper
Date: 2011-Sep
A report said that at least 78,000 young people (under the age of 25) experienced homelessness each year – an increase of 5,000 since the previous national estimate published in 2008. It said that no young person should sleep rough for more than one night once in contact with an appropriate statutory or voluntary sector agency; and that young people should not have to stay in emergency accommodation for longer than an agreed specified period.
Source: Deborah Quilgars, Suzanne Fitzpatrick, and Nicholas Pleace, Ending Youth Homelessness: Possibilities, challenges and practical solutions, Centre for Housing Policy (University of York)/School of the Built Environment (Heriot-Watt University)
Links: Report | Summary | Centrepoint press release
Date: 2011-Aug
The government began consultation on the extent of problems caused by squatters, and whether – and how – existing criminal and civil mechanisms should be strengthened to deal with them.
Source: Options for Dealing with Squatting, Ministry of Justice
Links: Consultation document | Impact assessment | Hansard | MOJ press release | NLA press release | Guardian report | Inside Housing report
Date: 2011-Jul
An article examined the association between homelessness and poor health, both physical and mental. Many homeless people became caught in the 'revolving door' of hostels, prison, hospitals, and the streets, often for many years. This form of homelessness affected people because of their mental health, and social solutions alone were not sufficient. Offering appropriate clinical interventions alongside existing social ones could begin to transform the situation.
Source: Peter Cockersell, 'Homelessness and mental health: adding clinical mental health interventions to existing social ones can greatly enhance positive outcomes', Journal of Public Mental Health, Volume 10 Number 2
Links: Abstract
Date: 2011-Jul
The local government ombudsman warned councils in England that they faced action for maladministration if they failed to meet their responsibilities to homeless people. It investigated more than 300 complaints every year where people claimed to have been denied access to help or interim accommodation for no legitimate reason.
Source: Homelessness: How Councils Can Ensure Justice for Homeless People, Commission for Local Administration in England
Links: Report | CLAE press release
Date: 2011-Jul
A report said that homeless people saw volunteering as an important way in which they could move from feeling excluded to being active community members again. But homeless people were very sceptical about the government's 'Big Society' strategy, and thought that it would have a negative effect on them by cutting public services.
Source: Enough Room: Is society big enough for homeless people?, St. Mungo's
Links: Report | St Mungos press release
Date: 2011-Jul
A briefing paper provided background information on 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: 2011-Jul
The housing watchdog in Scotland examined what homeless people wanted, and what they valued, in services from local authorities.
Source: Priorities of Homeless Service Users, Scottish Housing Regulator
Links: Report | SHR press release
Date: 2011-Jun
A study examined the experiences of single homeless people in England, and the extent to which they were 'hidden' from support and advice services as well as from official statistics.
Source: Kesia Reeve with Elaine Batty, The Hidden Truth About Homelessness: Experiences of single homelessness in England, Crisis
Links: Report | Crisis press release
Date: 2011-May
The Court of Appeal ruled that local councils had a legal obligation to provide homeless teenagers with ongoing care and support (such as help with benefits and job applications) beyond simple housing support.
Source: TG, R (on the application of) v London Borough of Lambeth, Court of Appeal 6 May 2011
Links: Judgement | Shelter press release | Inside Housing report
Date: 2011-May
The report of an independent commission (made up of 14 former rough sleepers) made a series of recommendations for the improvement of policies and services for homeless men and women.
Source: The Homeless People s Commission: Full Report, Groundswell UK
Links: Report | Groundswell press release
Date: 2011-May
A study found that 81 per cent of single homeless people were successfully living independently 18 months after leaving homelessness services.
Source: Maureen Crane, Tony Warnes, and Sarah Coward, Moves to Independent Living: Single homeless people s experiences and outcomes of resettlement, Sheffield Institute for Studies on Ageing (University of Sheffield)
Links: Report | CentrePoint press release | St Mungos press release | Inside Housing report
Date: 2011-May
A report said that local authorities could save millions of pounds if they funded homelessness prevention services such as family mediation within schools and the community, and parenting classes.
Source: Emma Insley, Homelessness Prevention: Can We Afford Not To? – Reconnecting families to prevent youth homelessness, Depaul UK
Links: Report | Depaul UK press release
Date: 2011-Mar
A report examined homelessness strategies in Europe. It set out five goals that strategies should work towards: no one should sleep rough; no one should live in emergency accommodation for longer than was an 'emergency'; no one should live in transitional accommodation longer than required for successful move-on; no one should leave an institution without housing options; and no young people should become homeless as a result of the transition to independent living.
Source: Ending Homelessness: A handbook for policy makers, FEANTSA (European Federation of National Organisations Working with the Homeless)
Links: Report
Date: 2011-Feb
A report examined how self-help housing approaches might be adapted to help tackle homelessness; associated training and employment needs; and the barriers preventing wider take-up.
Source: Simon Teasdale, Patricia Jones, and David Mullins, Connecting the Dots: The potential for self-help housing to address homelessness, Crisis
Links: Report
Date: 2011-Feb
An article examined the link between homelessness, the practice of citizenship, and the vocabulary of 'user involvement'. There were 'deep-rooted flaws' in the service user involvement project and its emancipatory claims.
Source: Martin Whiteford, 'Square pegs, round holes: rough sleeping and service user involvement?', Practice: Social Work in Action, Volume 23 Issue 1
Links: Abstract
Date: 2011-Feb
A report said that children in England as young as 13 were being released from custody into unsuitable and unsafe housing, leaving them vulnerable to reoffending at huge cost to themselves, society, and the government. A young person caught in a cycle of homelessness and reoffending could cost the government as much as £116,094 over three years – but if they received the necessary support there could be savings of £67,000 per child.
Source: Jane Glover and Naomi Clewett, No Fixed Abode: The housing struggle for young people leaving custody in England, Barnardo's
Links: Report | Barnardos press release | BBC report | Children & Young People Now report | Community Care report | Guardian report | Inside Housing report
Date: 2011-Feb
A report set out the findings of an independent jury appointed to deliver their conclusions following the European Consensus Conference on Homelessness (December 2010). It made policy recommendations designed to provide a strong basis on which to make continued and enhanced progress on the issue of homelessness within the European Union.
Source: European Consensus Conference on Homelessness: Policy Recommendations of the Jury, European Union
Links: Report | EurActiv report
Date: 2011-Feb
An article examined two organizations, one in Poland and one in the United Kingdom, that worked with older homeless people. A holistic approach, with community and meaningful activity at its centre, might be the way forward for some homeless people. A responding article said that, in Poland at least, the approach in question was justified only for those individuals who had no chance of exiting homelessness. A second response said that the evidence base relating to the claimed outcomes is not sufficiently comprehensive.
Source: Catherine Boswell, 'Routes out of poverty and isolation for older homeless people: possible models from Poland and the UK', European Journal of Homelessness, Volume 4 | Maciej Debski, 'The existence of communities of homeless persons in the process of vocational and social reintegration: controversial issues', European Journal of Homelessness, Volume 4 | Sarah Johnsen, 'Residential communities for homeless people: how "inclusive", how "empowering"?', European Journal of Homelessness, Volume 4
Links: Article | Response (1) | Response (2)
Date: 2011-Jan
An article examined differential rates of lifetime homelessness in Europe and the United States of America. The USA and the United Kingdom had higher lifetime rates of homelessness, more income inequality, and – especially in the USA – less generous social welfare policies than most European countries.
Source: Marybeth Shinn, 'Homelessness, poverty and social exclusion in the United States and Europe', European Journal of Homelessness, Volume 4
Links: Article
Date: 2011-Jan
An article examined the issues of homelessness and housing exclusion within the European Union social inclusion process. Despite certain governance and analytical limitations of the process, important advances had been made: these included the development of enhanced statistical data and indicators, a strengthened political commitment by EU institutions and member states, and new regulations extending the availability of EU funding for housing interventions.
Source: Michele Calandrino, 'Homelessness and housing exclusion in the EU social inclusion process', European Journal of Homelessness, Volume 4
Links: Article
Date: 2011-Jan
An article examined the political participation of people experiencing homelessness in European policy-making processes. From the perspective of deliberative democracy, there was little scope to oppose the political participation or mobilization of homeless people at the European level: although homeless people would face greater challenges in developing a European organization than service-provider organizations, these obstacles were neither fundamentally different nor insurmountable.
Source: Silke Paasche, 'Improving the democratic quality of EU policy making: what role for the participation of people experiencing homelessness?', European Journal of Homelessness, Volume 4
Links: Article
Date: 2011-Jan
An article examined the financial circumstances of single homeless people in England after they had been resettled into independent accommodation. Resettlement did work for many single homeless people: but more attention needed to be given to aspects of resettlement practice, most particularly the rarity of advice about the financial implications of being resettled.
Source: Anthony Warnes, Maureen Crane, and Sarah Coward, 'Coping on marginal incomes when first rehoused: single homeless people in England', European Journal of Homelessness, Volume 4
Links: Article
Date: 2011-Jan
A briefing paper examined the policy and legal context surrounding children, young people, and homelessness; and the role of the children and young people's voluntary and community sector in tackling it.
Source: Housing and Homelessness, Speaking Out Briefing 24, National Council for Voluntary Youth Services/Children England
Links: Paper
Date: 2011-Jan
