News

The Housing, Communities and Local Government select committee has today (31 March 2021) published a new report on homelessness and renting, Protecting the homeless and the private rented sector: MHCLG’s response to Covid-19.

During Safeguarding Adult’s Week 2021, we are pleased to share a new resource based on the learning and recommendations from Safeguarding Adults Reviews, and refreshed resources on the legal frameworks to protect those at risk, so that we can work together to reduce serious harm and death of those sleeping rough.

Melissa Kerschen, Senior Comms Manager at Glass Door Homeless Charity, shares their experiences of access to the Covid-19 vaccine at their central London hostels.

Bex Shorunke, Senior Media Officer at akt writes about the importance of recognising the diversity of young people experiencing homelessness and the specific experiences of young people from LGBTQ+ groups found in their new research.

This Much We Know Podcast: a podcast all about Social Enterprises in the homeless sector

Listening to Michael Gove’s speech at the Conservative Party Conference gave us the opportunity to understand how he views his new role as the Minister in charge of Levelling Up, Housing and Communities. But worryingly, homelessness didn’t get a mention.

All of us working in homelessness know that health is a critical issue for those who are precariously housed, or not housed at all. We know that within the homelessness population there are high rates of mental ill-health, high rates of physical health issues like COPD and lives are all too often cut short by decades. Yet still, too many people cannot access the healthcare services they need, when they need them.

Being a listening ear for people is a privileged position but it can also be exhausting and can even lead to vicarious trauma. James from Kineara shares his reflections about the impact of vicarious trauma, the importance of resilience, and other “difficult to hear” realities.

I'm so proud to be Homeless Link's new Chair of Trustees and cannot wait to work together with staff and members on our shared goals.

In partnership with Housing Justice and on behalf of the Department for Levelling up, Housing and Communities, Homeless Link are delighted to announce £3.8 million of Homelessness Transformation Funding has been awarded, £1 million of which is for Capital and £2.8 million for Revenue.

The idea of support ending seems to run contrary to Housing First’s core principle. However, in an insecure environment, and in the face of rising demand, services need to be prepared to handle transitions and even endings.

New guidance published on how services can better support young trans people in homelessness settings.

NACCOM’s Community Researcher group has been working with Homeless Link to explore experiences of accessing support from local authorities throughout the pandemic. In this blog, we discuss early reflections from our research and calls for change from the Community Researcher group.

Dr Stephanie Barker, a psychologist working with Basingstoke Homelessness Psychology Services, tells us about OutcomeHome (OCH), a not for profit social enterprise based in Southampton providing psychological and peer services specifically for homeless people and others who are multiply excluded

People at risk of, or experiencing, homelessness are far more likely to have significantly and chronically compromised health. The latest health service reforms - including the appointment of inequalities leads and creation of new partnership and governance structures - give members a prime opportunity to build on relationships and influence local health strategies to ensure people experiencing homelessness receive the timely healthcare that they need and deserve.

Ahead of our Homelessness & Migration: Working towards better solutions together conference on Wednesday, Bethan Lant from Praxis explains the environment for homeless migrants over the last year of the pandemic.

Our new survey found two thirds of adults wouldn’t feel confident in knowing the best way to help some sleeping rough. Raising awareness of StreetLink can change this.

Miranda Keast from the Museum of Homelessness tells us about the Dying Homeless Project, which was set up to remember people who have died while homeless with love and dignity, and to provide a space and network for us to support each other in grief and campaign for change to prevent future unnecessary deaths.

This week sees the launch of the CSJ report Close to Home: Delivering a national Housing First progamme in England, calling for the roll-out of a national Housing First programme for people whose homelessness is compounded by multiple disadvantage.

It’s Dying Matters Week: a chance to open up and talk about death and bereavement. Miranda Keast tells us about a new piece of work developing resources for the sector around death and bereavement of people experiencing homelessness.