On the day before our annual Homelessness Impact Forum, held this year in Manchester, a smaller group of public sector partners got together to explore how data-led frameworks are accelerating efforts to end homelessness and rough sleeping across the UK. It was a unique opportunity to reflect on progress made to date and look ahead to the continued role that data-led approaches can play to tackle homelessness challenges more effectively. 

CHI trustee Glyn Hawksworth kicked us off with a provocation that data-led approaches help us to ‘make friends with the question’. A wonderful way of positioning ourselves alongside data, as sensemakers and interpreters. This became a theme of the afternoon as people shared the ways in which the data frameworks are helping us ask better questions and explore gaps in knowledge in partnership with others. As another participant commented, they help us ‘wonder together’. 

How did we get here?

A quick look back at the story so far reflected on the creation of a definition to end homelessness in the UK. Although it may now seem so familiar, this was the first time a definition had been developed and agreed to capture what it would mean to end homelessness. 

‘Our goal to end homelessness means that it is prevented, and where it cannot be prevented, homelessness is a rare, brief, and non-recurring experience.’  

The data-frameworks were developed as a tool to track progress towards reaching that goal, getting to the detail of indicators of success so that areas can take a structured approach to using data and evidence to inform decision making. Starting with the Ending Rough Sleeping Framework for England, there are now Ending Homelessness Frameworks in use or development across Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. 

The Frameworks in action 

Short presentations were given by Beth Kilheeny and James Bartlett from the Greater Manchester Combined Authority, Staci Quinn from the Northern Ireland Housing Executive, Gareth Gaspar from Rhondda Cynon Taff Council, and Athelston Croft from Aberdeen City Council. 

The value of a co-designed set of relevant indicators was clear even where the data collection or quality was still limited. The panel spoke about using the Frameworks to build a narrative for change, spot trends, identify what was not working, and bring the system together to take ownership of the four goals to prevent homelessness or make it rare, brief, and non-recurring. 

Lessons from California 

We were honoured to be joined by Dr Margot Kushel, Professor in Medicine at University of California San Francisco (UCSF), Director of UCSF Action Research Center for Health Equity, and Director of UCSF Benioff Homelessness and Housing Initiative. Dr Kushel shared the ways in which homelessness data is gathered and used in California, including its impact on support interventions such as the Veterans’ Assistance programme and Housing Vouchers.  

Dr Kushel’s reflections on what has enabled (and disabled) data-led approaches spoke not just to the technical capabilities, but also to robust collaboration and political will. Often ‘getting people on board’ is the biggest hurdle. 

Overall takeaways

We held themed discussions on the indicators for prevention, brief, and non-recurring, as well as discussing the use of data in decision making.

We were keen to learn how the Frameworks could develop further. Attendees suggested that we: 

• Improve the capture of early intervention and prevention outcomes 
• Help build the picture of people’s needs and experiences through cohort based data (e.g. women’s census)  
• Build a view of the housing pathways through the Framework - what types of accommodation are being used, when and by who? 
• Help to socialise the data more with a narrative element 
• Ending homelessness in England - a next step from the Ending Rough Sleeping Framework  

What next? 

The Northern Ireland Housing Executive are in the crucial first steps of Framework development, ending Phase 1 of this work early in the new year. Trailblazer local authorities in Wales are now implementing their new Framework and we look forward to lessons learnt and shaping the wider roll out across the country. Work in England to move from rough sleeping to ending homelessness Frameworks is on the horizon - watch this space! 

Our thanks to everyone who came. You have given us a lot to think about to develop the Frameworks further and we will continue to do this alongside you individually and collectively. 

• Molly Bishop is Head of Implementation at the Centre for Homelessness Impact

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