Rough sleeping verification

In May 2023, Homeless Link facilitated a focus group with people currently working in the homelessness sector, alongside people with lived experience of homelessness to explore views on rough sleeping verification.

What did we discuss?

• We heard from frontline organisations in England about if they used verification as a means for individuals to access rough sleeping services, and if not, what was the alternative route into support.
• We discussed who verification serves and doesn't serve.
• We thought about what an 'ideal pathway' into rough sleeping services would look like to fully serve all individuals.

The document below is a write up of findings from the focus group. We hope that the findings provide people who are working in the homelessness sector with an insight into alternative approaches to verification, to evaluate current processes for accessing accommodation and support for people who are rough sleeping.