Services must prepare for the cuts to protect vulnerable people

Homeless Link, the umbrella organisation for the sector, has created a guide to support homelessness services to respond to reduced funding. 

 

The short guide has been created following research from Homeless Link showing that cuts to funding are having a negative impact on services for people who are homeless in the UK. The same research indicated that services were expecting further reductions of up to 48% in funding in 2011-2012.

 

Responding to the cuts: a survival guide for frontline services has been produced as part of Homeless Link’s ‘Effective action series’, which emphasises the importance of homelessness prevention and promotes innovation. 

 

It shares real responses and suggests solutions for homelessness services in how to respond to reduced statutory and charity funding. Sections in the guide include:

 

• Prioritise what to protect

• Make your core business indispensible – and prove it

• Diversify your funding

• Planning ahead

 

Mark McPherson, Director of Practice and Regions at Homeless Link, says:

 

“The economic climate means tough times are ahead for homelessness organisations. Cuts to funding are already having a negative impact on the support they can provide to people who are homeless in the UK and there are more on the way.

 

“Homeless services must therefore be informed and ready to adapt to these economic changes. Reduced funding can provide an opportunity to reflect on what works and our new guide provides a framework to begin planning this process.”

 

This guide focuses on responses for services facing cuts in Supporting People and Homelessness grant funding. 

 

Homeless Link is also hosting a webinar on Responding to the cuts on Friday 11 November from 10.30-11.30am. Register for the webinar online.

 

Check out Responding to the cuts: a survival guide for frontline services

 

*Figures taken from research carried out by Homeless Link in June 2011