April 2022
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This conference examined policy priorities for tackling homelessness and rough sleeping, as well as the way forward for the Government’s Rough Sleeping Initiative, which aims to end rough sleeping by 2024.
It was an opportunity to consider the issues in the context of the final report from the independent Kerslake Commission on Homelessness and Rough Sleeping, which assessed government action to support rough sleepers through the pandemic.
Delegates discussed the recommendations emerging from the report and possible implications for both central and local government rough sleeping strategies, as well as other wellbeing and healthcare services and programmes.
It was also an opportunity to assess latest thinking on what more can be done to address the root causes of homelessness, and we expected discussion on the Government’s Homes for Ukraine scheme, with the Scottish and Welsh governments announcing plans to become ‘super sponsors’.
Overall, the agenda brought out latest thinking on:
- the Kerslake Commission - recommendations, and priorities for tackling homelessness and rough sleeping in the context of the pandemic
- service delivery and provision - coordination and developing a plan for the long-term provision of homelessness care, the role of local authorities, and improving outreach programmes
- homelessness health inequalities:
- access to services and improving the wellbeing of vulnerable people
- developing an evidence-based approach
- addressing root causes of homelessness
- policy priorities - tackling homelessness and the Rough Sleeping Strategy
We were pleased to be able to include keynote sessions with: Lord Kerslake, Chair, Peabody; and Chair, Kerslake Commission on Homelessness and Rough Sleeping; and Dr Lígia Teixeira, Chief Executive, Centre for Homelessness Impact.
There was also a case study on the rough sleeping strategy and homelessness support programmes in Greater Manchester from Paul Dennett, Mayor of Salford; and Portfolio Holder for Housing, Planning and Homelessness, Greater Manchester Combined Authority.
The conference was an opportunity for stakeholders to consider the issues alongside key policy officials who attended from: DLUHC; the DHSC; DWP; DfE; HMPPS; the Home Office; Immigration Enforcement; the MoJ; the ONS; the OSR; the NAO; and the Welsh Government.
