Blog post: Homelessness in the Headlines – what will really help to break the cycle?

Recent months have seen homelessness move firmly into the national spotlight. With a series of new policy announcements, funding commitments and ministerial appointments, there is a renewed sense of urgency around tackling rough sleeping and homelessness across the country.

The appointment of Angela Rayner as Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, alongside Florence Eshalomi as the new Minister for Homelessness, signals a fresh focus on finding lasting solutions to one of society’s most persistent challenges.

At Action Homeless, we welcome this renewed sense of purpose, ambition and commitment. We are dedicated to ending rough sleeping and understand the scale of partnership working, resources and determination that will be needed to achieve that goal.

As government calls to bring “everyone in for Christmas” gather momentum, we stand ready to play our part. However, our focus extends beyond providing temporary shelter. To truly end rough sleeping, people need not only somewhere safe to live but also the support, stability and connections that enable them to rebuild their lives and break the cycle of homelessness for good.

A National Housing First Philosophy

One of the most promising developments is the growing support for a national Housing First approach.

At Action Homeless, we have seen first-hand the impact this model can have. Housing First is built on a simple but powerful principle: provide people experiencing homelessness with permanent housing as quickly as possible and then offer the personalised support they need to sustain it.

Over a five-year period, we supported 19 people with long histories of rough sleeping through a Housing First approach.

The results speak for themselves:

• 87% were able to sustain a stable home with our support.
• 92% maintained regular contact with health, treatment and recovery services.

Housing First works. We therefore welcome moves towards a broader national rollout of this approach. However, its success depends on access to good-quality housing.

People need long-term homes where they feel safe, secure and supported. Stable housing provides the foundation for recovery from the trauma of homelessness, enables people to address urgent health needs and creates the space needed to build meaningful connections within their communities.

Importantly, we must also recognise that independence looks different for everyone. While many people may move towards living independently, others will continue to require varying levels of support throughout their lives. Success should not be measured solely by whether someone can live completely independently, but by whether they have the stability, dignity and support they need to thrive.

Building Stronger Systems to Prevent Homelessness

Providing housing is only part of the solution.

To genuinely break the cycle of homelessness, we need stronger systems that identify people at risk earlier and coordinate support more effectively. Prevention must become as important as intervention.

In Leicester, we have already seen the benefits of collaborative working through the development of the city’s Homelessness Charter. Bringing agencies together has improved coordination, reduced duplication and strengthened the overall response to homelessness.

But there is potential to go further.

We need better systems that provide timely, accurate information and enable organisations to work together more effectively. Adopting common assessment and verification frameworks across local services would help ensure resources are directed towards those at greatest risk and provide a more consistent experience for people seeking support.

By sharing information, improving coordination and focusing efforts where they are needed most, we can create a more effective and responsive homelessness system.

Turning Ambition into Action

The recent funding commitments and policy announcements provide a valuable opportunity to build on what we know works.

At Action Homeless, we are excited about the prospect of putting proven approaches into practice at a greater scale. However, achieving lasting change will require decision-makers, partners and local authorities to listen carefully to evidence and lived experience.

People who have experienced homelessness understand better than anyone what barriers stand in the way of recovery and what support makes a genuine difference. Their voices must remain central to the conversation.

We encourage partners and local government to build upon successful projects and approaches already making a difference in Leicester and communities across the country.

Our Commitment

At Action Homeless, our mission remains unchanged: to bring an end to rough sleeping in our community.

While increased funding and national attention are welcome, lasting success will depend on more than good intentions. It will require long-term housing, effective support services, strong partnerships and a commitment to listening to those with lived experience.

If we get those foundations right, we can move beyond managing homelessness and begin to end it.