End it with evidence

Governments must be equipped to help as many people as possible escape the distress and trauma of homelessness. Better evidence and data is crucial if we are to respond promptly and direct investment effectively, ensuring every penny invested in homelessness solutions is well spent.

Jeremy Swain

Adviser on homelessness and ex-CEO Thames Reach

Homelessness is complex and identifying the most effective solutions won’t be simple - we know that much from our work in Greater Manchester. It’s no surprise that there is public scepticism about our ability to end or even significantly reduce homelessness, or positively engage with people who refuse ‘standard offers’ for help. Making policy and funding decisions based on the best possible evidence will help bring confidence that we can do it.

Rev. Ian Rutherford

City Centre Minister in Greater Manchester and Faith Sector Lead on Homelessness for the Mayor

I have seen first hand in my work the positive impact that applying rigorous evidence to complex problems can have. Just as in evidence-based policing, to tackle homelessness effectively we must take a step back, evaluate how and where we are seeing success, and what simply doesn’t work, and commit to creating a culture that brings real, lasting solutions into our communities.

Commander Alex Murray OBE

Met Police

This is a decisive moment for homelessness in the UK and in many other countries. We have a chance to shift what is thought of as possible or normal. At a minimum we should use this opportunity to improve outcomes for people experiencing or at risk of homelessness by focusing on what works, pushing for interventions to be rigorously evaluated, and directing investments towards prevention. We should also be bold in thinking about what might be possible over the next decade if we can raise our ambitions.

Sir Geoff Mulgan CBE

Professor of Collective Intelligence, Public Policy and Social Innovation at University College London

I hope in the future we will be more humble, that we have the courage and the wisdom to say we don’t know which idea is better, but we're systematically going to find out. If we could get that, I genuinely believe it would change the world.

Mark McGreevy OBE

Founder, Institute of Global Homelessness at DePaul University, CEO of De Paul International

At a time when our citizens are concerned about the impact of the pandemic on their families, income, housing, and wellbeing it is crucial that we don’t leave anyone behind. Leaders in local areas have difficult jobs to do, but making more effective use of data and evidence can help us be more effective and aid us in our goals. Join us.

Paul Matthews

Chief Executive, Monmouthshire County Council