About Us
Homelessness:
from problem to prevention
In 2023/24, more than 320,000 households in the UK faced homelessness – the highest figure on record, and an 8% increase over the previous year.
So why, despite tireless efforts across the sector and beyond, are people still experiencing homelessness? Too often, we’ve focused on managing the problem – rather than working to prevent it.
And that’s where Homewards comes in. Our singular focus is on showing that homelessness can be a thing of the past.
It won’t be easy, and it will need new ways of thinking and working. But by bringing the right people together, and by amplifying the great work that’s already taking place, we believe we can make real progress.
What’s different about Homewards?
We’ve made a five-year commitment
Homewards has committed to supporting the six Homewards locations for five years, putting them on a path to ending homelessness in their areas – and to show that this can be “business as usual” across the UK and beyond.
It’s all about working together
Homewards believes that we all have a role to play to prevent homelessness. Through our six local Coalitions, we have brought together organisations and individuals from different sectors to help find solutions together. We have also brought together The Homewards Partnership, made up of sector partners, national experts and businesses.
We have also created an experts by experience group that features individuals from each of the six homewards locations and beyond, who play a pivotal role in helping to design, advise on and evaluate our programme. This includes sitting on a panel for The Homewards Fund to support in decision-making around which projects receive funding, and helping to create and consult on the recent ‘Homelessness Reframed’ exhibition that took place at the Saatchi gallery.
Our work is locally-led
All of our 6 Homewards locations have created Local Action Plans, which detail their own priority cohorts and solutions – including an innovative housing project in each area. Each location also has its own local Homewards Delivery Lead – a person dedicated to making the area’s Action Plan a reality.
We offer unprecedented support
It’s not just about money. As well as grants of up to £500,000 from the Homewards Fund, each of our flagship locations receives an unparalleled package of resources – potential partners and funders to unlock housing in their areas, an extensive network of best-in-class expertise, and a research partner to evaluate success.
We’re confident it can be done
Through national campaigns to local storytelling, Homewards has a unique platform to challenge perceptions of homelessness, and to improve understanding. By bringing people together – from all walks of life and every corner of the UK – we can inspire optimism that it is possible to end homelessness.