Campbell is a strategic partner of a new What Works centre in the UK whose mission is to end homelessness by focusing on what works. That is, by finding and funding solutions backed by evidence and data. Together, we will be developing an evidence and gap map.
Learn more about the centre’s plans on their new website: homelessnessimpact.org, or sign up for their newsletter to receive updates about the work as things progress. You can also follow them on @homelessimpact and Linkedin.
In the UK – unlike in North America – there is a wide legal definition of homelessness including not just street homeless people, but also single people in hostels and those in temporary accommodation, such as people who are squatting, sofa surfing and living in overcrowded conditions. A BBC News article describes homelessness in the UK a “national crisis” and reports more than 9,000 rough sleepers and some 78,000 families living in temporary accommodation. Research shows a shortage of housing options for homeless people and those at risk, and since the government is investing more than £1 billion on the problem there is a real need for the new centre.
There is a Campbell systematic review on “Interventions for promoting reintegration and reducing harmful behaviour and lifestyles in street-connected children and young people” which concludes, as many systematic reviews do, that more research is needed.* The evidence and gap map being undertaken will help researchers to identify areas where more research is needed, and can help policymakers find the evidence which is already available.
New data has revealed that the US homeless population has increased for the first time since 2010. One of the biggest increases was seen in Los Angeles, with a 26% increase in just one year. Add this to the fact that only 25% of those homeless are living in actual shelters and it becomes clear of how big of a social problem this is. National Homeless Person’s Memorial Day on 21 December aims to raise awareness of this social justice issue and what is being done to help these vulnerable members of society.
Do you want to see what evidence there is about homelessness? Take a look at the homelessness evidence and gap maps here.
*A plain language summary of this review, in Spanish and English, is available here.