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More than just shelter: How can we support people away from rough sleeping?
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More than just shelter: How can we support people away from rough sleeping?

More than just shelter: How can we support people away from rough sleeping?

Tuesday, November 10, 2026

The government's announced aim to get ‘everyone in for Christmas’, a plan that this winter every person rough sleeping will be offered a route off the street, is a welcome step. Our Frontline Worker Survey, published in October 2026, highlighted growing numbers of people rough sleeping and an increased need for government support in this area. It was also clear from our research that a route off the street for rough sleepers is about more than shelter. Frontline workers across the UK emphasised the importance of making wider support accessible, which enables people to move out of homelessness and prevent a return to rough sleeping in the long term. This blog will explore the support needed, based on what frontline workers told us in our 2026 workforce survey.

Respondents repeatedly emphasised the necessity for services to be able to meet people at their point of need. Rigid appointment times, long distances to travel, and sanctions placed on those who struggle to fulfil service requirements all form barriers that prevent rough sleepers accessing necessary services.

“There seems less understanding that not every person is able to adhere closely to rules and expectations... [a client] was just told he 'didn’t engage' rather than exploring how difficult it was for him to engage” (Tameside, Health)

Mental health support

Frontline workers highlighted the importance of accessible mental health support for people’s ability to sustain a tenancy after rough sleeping. They emphasised that people who have been rough sleeping for a long time will often have complex support needs, and when these needs are not recognised and addressed by support services, people are at greater risk of a return to rough sleeping. Frontline workers reported that a lack of adequate mental health support and long wait times for mental health services, particularly for those with a dual diagnosis of a mental health problem and a substance use disorder, is an area of particular concern.

Immigration and homelessness

Respondents also highlighted that the barriers to accessing the necessary support are particularly high for those with no recourse to public funds (NRPF), who face incredibly limited pathways to support already. People with NRPF can be people who are subject to immigration control, such as asylum seekers, people on temporary visas, or people with limited leave to remain. Our survey results highlighted that frontline workers believe numbers of those with no recourse who are rough sleeping to be increasing. This places strain on workers, as a lack of access to accommodation and support for this group creates a “revolving door” (Warwick, Charity) problem where people are trapped moving between rough sleeping and short-term emergency accommodation with no clear route away from homelessness.

Conclusion

This requires access to wider support services. The capacity of homelessness services, frontline workers, and the wider ecosystem of support services, to maintain support for people over the course of their journey away from rough sleeping must be prioritised if policies to tackle rough sleeping are to be implemented effectively.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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