Discusses what is meant by homelessness prevention and how it can be delivered in practice. Examines homelessness prevention activities in the areas of housing advice, rent deposit schemes, family mediation, domestic violence victim support, assistance for ex-offenders, and tenancy sustainment services. Looks at the nature of each of the services, the client groups they relate to, monitoring and evaluation systems in use, and the cost-effectiveness considerations being taken into account. Includes examples of different policies and procedures used by local authorities.

The guide is a result of the government’s wish for local authorities to develop a more interventionist approach to homelessness and a recognition that local authority performance remains uneven in the area of homelessness prevention.

Draws on research commissioned by the government in 2004/2005 which examined the homelessness prevention activities of ten local authorities in England. Also draws on existing sources of good practice and official publications.

Finds that there are a variety of approaches taken by local authorities to preventing homelessness. Highlights the need for homelessness prevention activities to take a wider focus than merely targeting households judged as ‘potentially in priority need’ under homelessness legislation.

School of the Built Environment, Heriot-Watt University
Hal Pawson (Professor of the School of the Built Environment)

01/06/2006

Hal Pawson, School of the Built Environment, Heriot-Watt University

research

Urban Policy > Housing > Housing policy

Homelessness