Solutions

To reduce homelessness through housing policies, a multifaced approach is warranted with both solution and action. This requires a mixture of government, non-profit organisation and private sector co-operation.

Learn more about our solutions to homelessness and how a difference can be made:

Increased supply of accessible and affordable homes

First and foremost, it is essential to introduce an increase supply of affordable and accessible housing. This removes economic pressures on vulnerable households, while providing stability for those at risk of eviction or in- work poverty. Increasing the supply of housing ensures that individuals and families have to accessed to secure, long-term accommodation, reducing the reliance on emergency shelters and temporary solutions.

It is reported that this requires an introduction of 275,000 new homes a year, and whilst the government have set a target of 300,000 homes a year by the end of current parliament. It is crucial to abide to this, but to look at location where this will help reduce homelessness noticeably.

Within these developments, introducing inclusionary zoning policies, will help to ensure that a certain percentage of affordable houses are built with new developments, so that affordable housing is integrated into society promoting economic diversity.

Collaborations between local governments and private developers can help strengthen both sectors when finding a solution to homelessness, as incentives such as tax breaks, grants and low interest loans can help developers push for affordable housing, whilst also helping to maintain the target of 300,000 homes a year.

Support

The government should have a duty of care to support those who are in need escaping homelessness. The government must invest in accessible support services which help to mitigate the route of people onto the street. The removal of ‘section 21’ and unlawful evictions would provide more security for both low-income tenants and allow them to challenge poor decisions. By introducing thorough grounds, landlords would need valid grounds to evict a tennet, as outlined in the housing act of 1988.

Introducing recording systems (CHAIN statistics) which provide detailed information on the number of homeless people in need of support, as well as the level of homelessness both locally and nationally compared in different areas would be crucial in helping to decrease homelessness, as with this accessible information, funding can be allocated to the right services and locations, which will help to combat areas with more struggles than others.

The homeless reduction act of 2017 aims to prevent homelessness by placing obligations of local authorities to intervene at the earliest stage possible to support individuals at risk. By changing welfare agreements, it helps to provide, relieve, and refer. By providing this care, it will help to avoid the route people experience towards unmissable homelessness. By tackling this at a local level, it will help to make a national difference, but it all comes down to economic support and funding of housing policies by the government to ensure prevention is met.

Housing opportunities

Addressing homelessness requires a multifaced approach that prioritises housing opportunities. One efficient strategy is to adopt a ‘housing first’ model which requires preconditions so that these individuals can create stability. Once put in housing, services can help them gain employment, and bank services (which they can’t get without an address). This is successful, as it focuses on those to experience repeat homelessness, and thus puts them at the forefront of care.

Increasing rental assistance programmes and providing rental vouchers which cover a portion of the rent helps make housing more accessible and affordable for those in need. Furthermore, the addition of discretionary housing payment also helps additional financial support. These payments can help with shortfall of rent whilst also helping to create a barrier which stops the return or movement of people onto the street.

Housing policies could adapt to a first home scheme, where homes are sold at a discounted price for first time buyers and rent doesn’t exceed 80% of the current market rent. This government backed scheme could be reshaped to address homelessness, as by introducing a reduced rent/payment those who find it hard to pay rent, now have a foundation and safety net to halt their removal.

Tennet protection

The government must protect tenants’ legal rights by stopping unlawful evictions. Reform for this sector is long overdue and will help to create change where other governments have failed. The Renters Rights bill will help to transform the experience of private renting and create safety for 11 million private renters within the UK. The Bill with remove section 21, (unjust evictions) and instead create a simple tenancy structure, which in turn will provide more power and security to tenants who want to challenge any wrongdoings without fear of removal.

Emergency housing and governmental change

The number of families living in temporary housing accommodations across England is at record levels, with nearly 130,000 families affected by this. To improve this, temporary accommodation must be at the front of every strategy. Building social homes is the most effective way to reduce this. But this needs government backing. The Labour government has announced they are committed to a long-term housing strategy, which would be the perfect time to address temporary accommodation targets.

In 2022-23, local authorities spent over £1.6billion on temporary accommodation. This funding must be utilised more effectively to ensure that homelessness is reduced. A report by National Audit Office stated

‘Historic trends suggest that extensive use of temporary accommodation can be reversed. In 2004, there were around 101,000 households in temporary accommodation. However, by the end of 2010, numbers had fallen to around 48,000, representing a reduction of around 52%’

So a commitment to reduce the numbers yet again can be done, it just depends on how funds are utilised to ultimately remove the amount of people in emergency housing.

How we can help?

It is crucial that us, the public take the initiative in driving forward homeless change, We urge you to advocate for change by signing petitions, contact your local MP, as well as taking a first hand approach and support local homeless shelters and charities.

The next steps going forward are key in order to reduce homelessness, and we can't do it without you. In the upcoming months, protests and demonstrations are being held. Come along with us and help make the change.

Protests and demonstration dates around the UK:

Leeds- 21/05/25

London- 25/05/25

Bristol- 1/06/25

Glasgow-02/06/25

Manchester-02/06/25

Contact our local official and urge him to make a difference:

Email: Housing.options@Leeds.gov.uk

''Solutions regarding homelessness are nothing without public change''

Henry Robinson