New research demonstrates dramatic culture change across homeless charities in England

Published by Homeless Link for Homeless Link in Housing and also in Central Government, Education, Health, Local Government

Homeless Link research reveals a marked increase in availability of specialist services for clients with a diverse range of needs, but warns of trouble ahead if funding cuts for homeless charities continue.

Today Homeless Link has released its third annual Survey of Needs and Provision (SNAP) which charts changes occurring in the homelessness sector in England. The survey, funded by CLG, provides an updated picture of services for single homeless people and couples and of the people that rely on them.

The report has identified dramatic improvements in the availability of specialist support services for homeless people since 2008. This is largely due to the development of external partnerships; helping vulnerable people move on to independent lives:

•  A 32% increase in the availability of help for people to improve their education, develop skills and find employment (from 66% to 98%)
•  A 33% increase in the availability of activities, such as gardening, sport and art (from 61% to 94%)
• A 26% increase in the provision of services to help people improve their physical health (from 71% to 97%)

Jenny Edwards, Chief Executive of Homeless Link, the national organisation for agencies working to end homelessness, said, “The report shows a dramatic improvement in the availability of many types of specialist services for homeless people. Many organisations are responding magnificently to the changing needs and expectations of homeless people. These developments illustrate the flexibility of homelessness charities in responding to the very wide range of needs of the people they see. People using services come from a wide variety of backgrounds, and include refugees and migrants, people with mental health issues, victims of domestic violence and prison leavers. Homelessness charities are taking a central role in ensuring that the most vulnerable people in society are supported through to positive futures. They are keen to share learning with other organisations and sectors.

“Looking ahead, however, almost half of the organisations surveyed were fearful that funding pressures and predicted decommissioning of services threatened their ability to continue with this work. It is essential that investment programmes, such as the Places of Change programme, homelessness grant and Supporting People funds, are maintained in order to sustain and build on the substantial progress that has been made for some of our society’s most vulnerable people.

Richard Cunningham, Manager of the HCA’s Places of Change Programme, commented, “Homeless Link’s SNAP report perfectly demonstrates that the Places of Change approach is working, and really making a difference to society’s most marginalised people; in other words, it goes way beyond just providing a place to live. It’s also about quality buildings that provide a welcome, warmth and security; well trained and supportive staff; and innovative, meaningful and ‘fun’ activity that make service users feel better about themselves and gain the confidence to show they’ve got something to offer. In essence, this is what will allow them to move on with their life and future. All the projects we fund through the programme now offer this opportunity, and this must continue.”

ENDS

Notes to editors

1. About Homeless Link

Homeless Link is the national umbrella organisation for around 500 frontline agencies working to end homelessness in England. We are working for an end to rough sleeping by 2012. For more information on our work, please visit our website www.homeless.org.uk

2. About the Survey of Needs and Provision

This is the 3rd year of Homeless Link’s unique survey of services that support homeless people and provides the fullest picture yet of developing trends in homelessness and services’ response to these. These findings are based on a representative sample of 500 day centres, direct access hostels and second stage accommodation as taken from Homeless UK database. The research was carried through telephone interviews with project managers.
You can read the full report at www.homeless.org.uk/snap-2010

3. About Places of Change

The Places of Change movement is about physical and cultural change in providing services to people who are homeless. It is about high quality professional services that help people, including some who have been excluded for many years, find a positive way forward in their lives. Although it started with capital investment in buildings (currently including £80 million from the Homes and Communities Agency) it also includes training of leaders and frontline workers, sharing and exchange of innovative practice and centres on the views and experience of people using services. Homeless Link regional managers provide guidance and problem solving support to agencies around the country to help them adopt the Places of Change approach.