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Frontline Insights | Action we must take to tackle homelessness

Frontline Insights | Action we must take to tackle homelessness

Frontline Insights | Action we must take to tackle homelessness

Wednesday, November 29, 2023

We welcome the recent unfreezing of Local Housing Allowance, an issue that has repeatedly been raised by frontline homelessness workers as contributing to significant difficulties accessing private rented sector accommodation. Moving forward, however, frontline workers are calling for further action to help relieve homelessness this winter and, crucially, to prevent homelessness wherever possible.  

In a recent Frontline Network newsletter, we asked frontline homelessness staff across the UK “What message would you like to share with decision makers about the action needed to tackle homelessness?”. Here, we’ve collated three key things that frontline homelessness workers referenced the most: 

1. We need urgent action to create more suitable and affordable homes.  

“The current solutions to homelessness are ineffective. There is a lack of appropriate housing provision which causes backlogs of homeless services. Where people are housed in long-term rented accommodation this is often reliant on finding suitable options within the private sector, which are scarce and become unmanageable due to rent increases, high deposits, no-fault evictions etc. This perpetuates the cycle of homelessness, sending the person back into the homeless system.” - Frontline worker, Manchester 

“We desperately need more social housing too - private renting can lead to frequent moves, which can disrupt children's schooling and is very difficult to cope with for individuals with mental health needs.” - Frontline worker, South London 

“We need more affordable housing, and we need it NOW.” - Frontline worker, Plymouth 

“It is not good enough for homeless families to be housed in hotels.” - Frontline worker, Worcestershire 

“Housing First should be the norm for all homeless applicants who need intensive support. The staircase model needs to go. People should not need to prove they are ready for housing.” - Frontline worker, South Lanarkshire 

 

2. Homelessness services require adequate funding in order to offer effective support.  

“Please fund more support workers for services like ours as we are understaffed and also please help us by funding a resettlement role within our service so that we can make sure our clients' move-ons go smoothly and any issues they face in their new accommodation are swiftly dealt with. This will help stop the cycle of repeated homelessness that some of our clients face.” - Frontline worker, Buckinghamshire 

“Funding for homelessness services in NI is insufficient to respond to a constantly worsening situation.” - Frontline worker, Northern Ireland  

“Staff are already stretched and exhausted so a reduction in funding doesn't show them they are valued or appreciated and this affects staff morale and recruitment. It takes years to train as a competent housing adviser and we cannot afford to lose these skills.” - Frontline worker, South Ayrshire 

 

3. Decision makers need to listen to experts with lived and professional experience of homelessness, and take a holistic approach to addressing the issue.  

“Homelessness exists, is increasing, and needs a multidisciplinary, agile approach that is responsive to the clients needs rather than asking them to fit into existing structures.” - Frontline worker, Northern Ireland  

“Homelessness is more than rough sleeping, and individuals experiencing homelessness need to be supported holistically.” - Frontline worker, Brighton 

“A gendered and trauma-informed approach would be beneficial […] Involving women with lived experience and the services that are currently supporting women who are homeless or at risk of homelessness in the planning and implementation of local services and policy changes would give decision-makers a greater insight into the barriers that women face.” - Frontline worker, Coventry 

Thank you to everyone who took part and shared their views. Our next Annual Frontline Worker Survey will be coming up in the New Year, so please watch this space and get involved in due course! 

You can read more about our past research with frontline homelessness staff here. You can also join our newsletter to receive updates of news and opportunities from the Frontline Network. 

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