Breaking the cycle: Delivering a homelessness funding system that works for all

What is this report?

This report was produced to set out the recent history of homelessness funding in the sector, how that has impacted on the services being delivered and on outcomes for people experiencing homelessness, and sets out principles for what a future funding model should look like.

Who is it for?

The report is written for anyone with an interest in the homelessness sector and how it is funded, and particularly those looking to influence local or national policy makers, commissioners, and funders. It is also directly relevant for policy makers, commissioners, and academics or other researchers.

Why is it relevant?

Homelessness services can act as a lifeline for those with few other options. But the current funding system for the homelessness sector undermines its ability to deliver high-quality support. Like many other essential services, the sector faces significant budget shortfalls. This has left providers unable to plan strategically for the future, hopping from crisis to crisis as service quality drops. Sadly, it is the people in need of support who bear the consequences of short-term, patchwork and insufficient funding.

With the opportunity of a comprehensive spending review under the new Labour Government this report outlines the key issues with the homelessness funding model and highlights the actions the new government should take to deliver a step change in homelessness funding and get back on track to preventing and ending homelessness for good.