What is the plan to end homelessness?
The sweeping plan reflects the complicated nature of the rising homelessness crisis, referencing several other government initiatives which come together with the aim of tackling the complex causes of homelessness.
The Plan’s headline objectives of halving the number of long-term rough sleepers, ending the unlawful use of B&Bs as accommodation for families experiencing homelessness and investing in prevention are all important steps to tackle this crisis.
According to Shelter’s recent investigation, there has been an 8% rise in homelessness this year. This investigation estimates that there are now at least 382,000 people currently homeless in England alone, of which over 175,000 are children.
Recognising needs of people experiencing homelessness
It was particularly promising to read of the government’s recognition of the need to address problematic substance use and mental health issues – which all too often result from, or contribute to, periods of homelessness. Across our services at Turning Point, we see clear links between problematic substance use, mental health difficulties and homelessness. Approximately 73% of people sleeping rough rely on daily substance use, and approximately 50% experience a mental health issue.
We aim to deliver quality services to address these complex and coexisting needs around homelessness. For example, our supported living service in Staffordshire specialises in helping people with mental health needs who have experienced homelessness. Turning Point also provides a dedicated young people’s supported living service in Lancashire. Young people face their own unique challenges and complexities when they experience homelessness, making tailored services such as this an essential component to preventing recurring homelessness and improving health and wellbeing outcomes.
An overview of the plan
The National Plan includes a commitment to expand the Rough Sleeping Drug and Alcohol Treatment programme to a small number of councils with particularly high need. Further, the Plan refers to the implementation of the Co-occurring Mental Health and Substance Use Delivery Framework, which promises to deliver more coordinated services to better account for common overlaps in substance use and mental health need.
Turning Point’s own Rough Sleepers Drug and Alcohol Service in Kensington and Chelsea helped 199 people in 2024/25, with many of them progressing in finding stable accommodation and addressing their substance use.
I am proud that this service received a special commendation at the London Homelessness Awards for their exceptional efforts in 2024, and continues to deliver in a part of the country which has a particularly high level of homelessness and rough sleeping.
It is clear by the continued rising rates of homelessness that a bold plan such as this is sorely needed. Turning Point welcomes the government’s ambitions to support some of the most vulnerable people in our society. We will continue to work proactively across all our specialist homelessness services, providing tailored services for young people, those with mental health needs or problematic substance use. We remain committed to developing the ways in which we work to provide the best person-centred support possible and to enabling people with experience of homelessness to lead more stable and fulfilling lives.