The Kerslake Commission final report, published last week, brings together the experience and vision of most of those directly involved in addressing the problem of rough sleeping. Using the evidence from the Everyone In initiative, they stress that rough sleeping is both a housing and a health issue. So what is needed is a more comprehensive approach which ensures that accommodation and necessary services come together to address the full range of issues those coming on to the street face. Yet there are still many hurdles that have to be overcome to gain access quickly and even more to ensure that people can move-on when they are ready. The report clearly identifies what each stakeholder group needs to do – but it’s a big ask.
LSE London undertook a Rapid Evidence Review for the Commission on the problems facing non-UK nationals who have no recourse to public funds, which was published with the Report. The study shows clearly that NRPF status is a significant cause of homelessness. It is also why, under Everyone In, many people have had to remain in emergency accommodation for long periods of time and why finding safe and secure move-on accommodation is such a problem.
The Commission Report is all about learning lessons that can help enable the government to meet its commitment to end rough sleeping by 2024. If those with no recourse to public funds cannot be helped more effectively it is very difficult to see how the government can meet their objectives to end rough sleeping by 2024.
Read Kerslake Commission final report and our rapid evidence review