Giving Compass' Take:

• Martin Burrows discusses comprehensive ways that we can understand and create solutions to end homelessness by 2030. 

• How can we best utilize the skills, knowledge and experience of people who have been homeless, to inform the solutions to this national crisis?

• Read about the state of homelessness in America. 


Looking forward into a new decade it’s our duty as a social sector to ensure that by 2030 homelessness is no longer destroying lives and damaging communities.

Looking back to the start of the last decade things looked promising—homelessness by all measures was at historic lows and innovative concepts and practices were being embraced. The first UK Housing First trials were starting; personalisation was a buzz word and there was a diversity of services to meet the differing needs of people experiencing homelessness. Nevertheless, this was also the beginning of financial uncertainty, political change and the advent of austerity for the UK. A ‘conservative’ calculation would indicate rough sleeping has increased by 165% since 2010. That’s just the tip of the iceberg.

Despite this, we can’t and shouldn’t ignore the positive steps that have been taken. There is increased dialogue around the connection between health and homelessness, recognising good health creates a foundation for moving out of homelessness. Recognition has also grown around the power of participation, acknowledging that people should have a say in the decisions that affect their lives. Our understanding of the causes and consequences of homelessness has also improved; trauma and gender informed practices being embraced is a key example of this.

Read the full article about ending homelessness by Martin Burrows at NPC.