Publications
Browse our publications to discover what works
We collaborate with academics, universities, and research groups to uncover what really helps people out of homelessness. Explore our growing body of work that includes randomised control trials, systematic reviews, policy papers, and books which help to fill the gaps in our understanding of homelessness.
Featured Publication
March 15, 2026
Cash Transfers for Care Leavers
This is the first completed trial of unconditional cash transfers for any population affected by homelessness within the UK to reach a sample of sufficient size to draw quantitative conclusions. People with experience of the care system are vastly over-represented among those experiencing homelessness. Research has found that one in ten people sleeping rough in London were care-experienced, and more than a quarter of young people leaving care had experienced sofa surfing.
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December 6, 2021
What Works Evidence Notes: Welfare
This paper describes some key trends about homelessness and the existing evidence about how this relates to changes in benefit entitlements. We discuss opportunities for data analyses to quantify these links as well as potential opportunities for reform. It should be read alongside the joint CHI-CIH paper on housing subsidies for people on low incomes.
November 29, 2021
What Works Evidence Notes: Prevention
Homelessness prevention has become an increasingly important part of addressing homelessness in the UK and a number of countries across the world, including the US, Finland, Canada, Australia and Germany. This paper provides an overview of the evidence on the success of interventions for preventing homelessness.
November 22, 2021
What Works Evidence Notes: Drugs and Alcohol
This paper provides an overview of the evidence on the relationship between homelessness and substance and alcohol use. It captures recent trends and identifies what we know about what works for whom. We conclude with some initial thoughts on implications for policy and practice.
October 18, 2021
Housing for people on low incomes - how do we make the best use of government subsidies in England?
A policy paper written in partnership with the Chartered Institute of Housing assesses whether better value for money be achieved by redirecting some of the £30.6bn which is currently spent on housing benefit and the housing element of universal credit.
August 17, 2021
Improving access to health and social care services for individuals experiencing or at risk of experiencing homelessness
A report in collaboration with Campbell UK & Ireland, Centre for Evidence and Social Innovation and Queens University Belfast which examines the evidence on interventions which improve access to health and social care.
July 29, 2021
Women, homelessness and violence: what works?
A policy paper in collaboration with Sheffield Hallam University's Centre for Regional Economic and Social Research exploring gender-based approaches to homelessness policy.
April 30, 2021
Evidence and framing: public perceptions and homelessness
A survey conducted in partnership with Ipsos MORI
April 8, 2021
Encouraging landlords to let to people receiving benefits and at risk of homelessness
Two randomised controlled trials undertaken in partnership with The National Residential Landlords Association and the Behavioural Insights Team.
