Reflecting on the past year, it’s clear that 2024 has seen significant challenges, with homelessness in all its forms rising rapidly across the UK. 

The Centre for Homelessness Impact exists to tackle these challenges head on with better use of evidence and data and this year, we’ve made significant strides toward that mission. The £15 million ‘Test & Learn and Systems-wide Evaluation’ initiative, funded by the Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government, launched. Its aim is to create a new evidence base for resource allocation as well as to support evidence-based decision-making by rigorously evaluating the impact of existing services. We also published our Value for Money analysis of spending on temporary accommodation and data collection and welcomed sector colleagues to our Impact Forum homelessness conference in Manchester.

This work is only possible thanks to the immense and tireless work of our partners - third and public sector staff, lived experience associates, front-line workers and all those involved in the homelessness sector. Their work continues to be invaluable to ensuring we end homelessness for good and we look forward to welcoming in 2025 alongside these partners. 

In order to look forward, it’s useful to take a moment to reflect, and in this vein we asked several colleagues to share their most memorable experiences and projects from 2024. 

We wish you and your loved ones all the best this festive season. 

Beth, Evidence and Data Lead

I joined the Centre for Homelessness Impact (CHI) in September 2024 and have since had a baptism of evaluation fire to get data protection and robust evaluation arrangements in place for two of our exciting Test and Learn projects. The Test and Learn programme is a ground-breaking initiative to introduce and evaluate new ways to end homelessness.

In the midst of that abstract desk work it was a joy to get out at night on the streets with the outreach staff at St Mungo’s in Bristol on the national rough sleeping street count (you can read more about another colleague’s experience of a street count here). Our street outreach staff in Bristol are doing such an incredibly tough job in an extremely challenging city and it was a privilege to have the time to speak with and learn from their experienced staff. I felt that I got to see my home city in a new light and it was helpful to connect me with the real purpose of CHI's Test and Learn programme - why I am bending my mind resolving data protection issues! 

As a researcher, it was also interesting to see how the methodology has been developed to collect consistent data in a tricky data collection scenario, so policy makers can base their decisions on better evidence of the problem.

‍Kit, Special Projects Lead

In the UK, 2024 has been marked by unsettling homelessness statistics: a surge in the number of people sleeping rough; an increase in those relying on temporary accommodation; and significant local government spending revelations. All this unfolded against the backdrop of far-right rioting which specifically targeted hotels housing those seeking asylum. 

For me, one of the defining issues of the year has been the eyewatering cost of temporary accommodation and the dramatic rise of families and individuals staying in hotels, bed and breakfasts and other accommodation that isn’t suitable for long-term living. The Centre for Homelessness Impact’s work on value for money of temporary accommodation in England has been crucial to understanding the system that is currently in place and where things need to change. I’m proud to have been part of the publication of our reports and involved in the events we did to disseminate the findings. 

Molly, Head of Implementation

One of my highlights this year is a project driving tangible change - the London Accelerator Programme. This is a programme of work exploring new ways of working to end homelessness in the capital. In November we brought together leaders from across London to generate new ideas and establish new ways of working to end homelessness in London. We collaborated with London Councils and the Greater London Authority to make this happen. It has been great to see London embrace a data-led framework to end homelessness - a major step to building evidence-based insight and tracking the progress of new work. We co-developed priority interventions to test and learn, identified new data solutions and explored key priorities for London-wide coordination and capacity building. What I have loved is the energy and creativity that this work unlocks. At a time when homelessness is at its highest, this is the only approach that will help us move in the opposite direction. With this work in motion, 2025 is set to be a busy and momentous year.

Shazia, Chief Operating Officer 

Stepping into the role of Chief Operating Officer this year has been an incredible journey of growth and discovery. Joining a truly exceptional team, I’ve focused on supporting our next phase of growth and impact.

As someone new to the homelessness sector, I’ve been struck by its scale and complexity. It’s been a privilege to deepen my understanding of how evidence and data come together to create tangible, lasting solutions—and to appreciate the pivotal role that a myriad of stakeholders play in shaping these outcomes. The insights and expertise of those with lived experience, alongside the contributions of partners, have been particularly powerful, adding immense value to the critical work we do.

Above all, this year has reinforced the importance of people. The dedication of our team with a shared sense of purpose, and the sector’s collective commitment to change, have been inspiring. By working collaboratively and drawing on collective strengths, we’re building the foundation for even greater impact in the future.

To get involved in our work or learn more about our 2025 plans, subscribe to our newsletter here. 

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