Rough Sleepers Receive £2,000 in Study Aiming to Reduce Homelessness

In an innovative approach to tackling homelessness, researchers at King’s College London have initiated a study that provides rough sleepers with a cash grant of £2,000. The aim is to determine whether this financial support can expedite their transition into permanent housing. A total of 250 individuals experiencing homelessness in Belfast and London are participating in this trial, which is set to run for one year.

Study Design and Expectations

The participants have been carefully selected and screened to ensure that the cash support does not pose any risks, particularly excluding those with significant addiction issues. Half of the participants will receive the £2,000 directly in their bank accounts, while the remaining 125 will act as a control group, receiving no funds. This experimental design aims to provide insights into the impact of direct financial assistance on housing outcomes.

This study is the first of its kind in the UK and draws inspiration from a smaller scale project conducted in Vancouver, Canada, in 2018. That earlier research indicated that homeless individuals who received similar cash payments spent significantly less time without housing and did not show an increase in spending on substances like alcohol and drugs.

The Centre for Homelessness Impact (CFIH) is backing this initiative, emphasizing a belief in empowering individuals through access to resources. Ligia Teixeira, Chief Executive of CFIH, stated, “Our cash transfers project is rooted in a straightforward yet powerful belief: when people have direct access to resources, they gain agency over their lives and livelihoods.” Teixeira further added that the project aims to challenge outdated assumptions about support systems and explore how best to provide opportunities for those at risk of homelessness.

Context and Broader Implications

The timing of this study is crucial, as homelessness rates in the UK have surged, with approximately 300,000 individuals facing severe homelessness. Research from Heriot-Watt University revealed that homelessness levels in England reached 299,100 in 2024, marking a 21 percent increase since 2022 and a 45 percent rise since 2012. Moreover, the number of individuals seeking assistance from local councils has risen by 70 percent, particularly affecting areas in London and the northern regions.

The study also addresses the implications of recent government policies that have influenced homelessness. The report indicated that evictions from asylum accommodations contributed to a 37 percent increase in homelessness in the last year. Additionally, discharges from hospitals and prisons have risen by 22 percent, partly due to the UK Government’s early release schemes.

Final results from the trial are expected to be published in 2027, potentially shaping future strategies for addressing homelessness in the UK and beyond. As the research unfolds, it aims to provide valuable insights into the effectiveness of direct cash transfers in facilitating housing stability and improving lives.