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Rough sleeping

Rough sleeping individual

Working to end rough sleeping for good

We support our members in their work to end rough sleeping - through support for frontline workers, facilitating the Rough Sleeping Counts and Estimates, and running schemes such as StreetLink and CHAIN, as well as providing guidance and resources in Severe Weather.

Find out more

Rough sleeping resources

We have a range of resources designed to equip staff working in rough sleeping outreach services, including guiding principles with accompanying guidance, a brochure for volunteers, free bitesize E-Learning, and guidance on Severe Weather Emergency Protocol (SWEP) and cold weather provision.

  • Principles for Rough Sleeping Outreach

    Updated: 18/10/24

    This document details the core principles required for designing and delivering rough sleeping outreach services in England.

  • Guidance for rough sleeping outreach services and volunteers

    Updated: 27/9/24

    Guidance for frontline staff and managers working in rough sleeping outreach services and a printable information leaflet for new or existing volunteers for outreach services.

  • Bitesize learning: Outreach Essentials

    Updated: 07/8/24

    A series of four bitesize e-learning session in which we look at what effective outreach is and the essential elements of supporting people away from sleeping rough. We will look at what is needed to ensure the well-being of outreach workers. Each video has an accompanying transcript containing links to all the resources and additional e-learning available from Homeless Link and other sector partners.

  • SWEP and winter provision toolkit

    Updated: 17/10/24

    A toolkit to help local authorities and homelessness service providers develop suitable responses during the winter and periods of severe weather.

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Offering tents to people experiencing homelessness

There are conflicting views across the country about whether to give out tents to people who are rough sleeping. Read the summary of the findings from our focus group which discussed the pros and cons of giving out tents.

Read more

Latest news on Rough Sleeping

  • News

    Women’s specific experiences of homelessness and health must be addressed

    For International Women's Day, Homeless Link's Senior Research Manager, Debra Hertzberg, analyses health data to show why women experiencing homelessness need tailored healthcare.

    03 March 2025
  • News

    Annual review of the sector reveals immense pressures

    Key findings from Homeless Link 2023 research into single homelessness support and how this important evidence supports our government influencing work.

    30 December 2024
  • News

    Legislation watch: What next for homelessness bills?

    With the General Election being called, Sophie Boobis explains what happens next to legislation that might impact on homelessness.

    30 May 2024
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Annual Rough Sleeper Snapshot

Homeless Link verifies the Government's Annual Rough Sleeper Snapshot which looks at how many people are sleeping rough on one particular night each year.

Find Out More

StreetLink

StreetLink is a service that allows members of the public to let local services know if someone is sleeping rough.

After an alert has been made the local council will send an outreach team to find the person and help to connect them to local relevant services.. In the last year more than 50,000 alerts have been made and more than 5000 people have been successfully connected with local services.

To find out more visit the StreetLink Website

Forthcoming events

Here are some forthcoming events relevant to rough sleeping:

  • Team Training Course

    Outreach contact and support

    This training aims to help outreach teams deliver effective support interventions and achieve positive outcomes for people sleeping rough.

    • Rough Sleeping
    • Street Outreach
    • Developing the workforce
See all events

Policy and Influencing work on rough sleeping

One of Homeless Link's policy priorities areas is rough sleeping

Read more here
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Company number 04313826

Charity number 1089173

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