Following the publication of the English National Plan to End Homelessness, we are pleased to be launching a short paper that takes the conversation on universal prevention of homelessness a crucial step further. The National Plan rightly highlights the importance of universal prevention, but—like most work in this area—it stops short of fully engaging with what universal prevention actually means, why it matters, and how it can be meaningfully delivered, including at local level. Our new paper aims to address that gap by stimulating debate on practical conceptualisations of universal prevention, at local as well as national levels, and its role in reducing homelessness.

At the heart of our approach to universal homelessness prevention are four essential protective factors: having a truly affordable, safe and secure home; a sufficient income; good health, and timely access to effective care; and supportive relationships and strong social networks. We argue that when these foundations are in place, people’s risk of homelessness is dramatically reduced. Crucially, universal prevention does not mean uniform provision—population-wide strategies may still require targeted measures for particular groups to ensure equitable access to the resources intended for all, an approach often described as ‘proportionate universalism.’ Our paper outlines why strengthening these universal protective factors is not only possible, but vital, if we are to achieve lasting reductions in homelessness.

We hope this paper, alongside the National Plan, will help drive meaningful action towards preventing homelessness at the earliest opportunity. 

Read the paper here.