Care & Support research and reports
Over the last decade the UK homelessness sector has faced significant funding cuts, changes in how services are commissioned, and the introduction of significant new legislation alongside reforms in connected public services.
This research from Imogen Blood Associates with Professor Nicholas Pleace from the University of York’s Centre for Housing Policy draws on direct testimony from commissioners of homelessness services to identify some of the key impacts on the homelessness sector.
The report covers:
- The National Policy context for homelessness services and supported housing
- The effects on commissioners and providers of being asked to do ‘more with less’
- Variations in how services are being commissioned
- The impact of ‘Bitty short-term funding’ for rough sleepers
- Factors which are enabling and sustaining innovation.
The report concludes by making recommendations across 5 key areas about what is needed de-traumatise the system.
When the pandemic first struck, Riverside were on the brink of launching the report of a study we had commissioned from Imogen Blood & Associates and the Centre for Housing Policy at the University of York. This report examined trends in the commissioning of homelessness services by local authorities over the past decade based on conversations with local authority commissioners.
The findings built a picture of a homelessness system which had been ‘traumatised’ as a result of the direct and indirect effects of ten years of funding cuts and national policy changes.
Now, the report’s lead authors, Imogen Blood and Nicholas Pleace, have re-grouped to reflect on how a year of pandemic has impacted on the resilience of this already-traumatised system.
Their new post-script on the original report argues that we are now at a critical crossroads.
You can download this new postscript here.
In the face of further cuts, and combined with the potential for increased homelessness, there is a real risk that services are hastily de-commissioned now, simply to be replaced by new emergency shelters in the future.
We must instead seize the opportunity to work together to strengthen prevention, improve long-term housing supply, and commission sustainable, future-proof housing-led support.
Produced by researchers at the University of York, The Roadmap to End Homelessness Amongst Veterans, provides a blueprint to ensure current and future generations of veterans have the skills and support required to avoid homelessness and establish a long-term sustainable home.
The research highlights that some veterans, particularly those who join and leave the Service at a young age, are not well enough prepared to find and maintain a home after their time in the Armed Forces.
Working with the National Housing Federation and other members we wanted to better understand how supported housing specifically impacts homelessness, health and wellbeing. We also wanted to further understand the challenges that it faces and the ways in which it supports and interacts with the NHS, social care, the justice system and other public services.
Together we commissioned Imogen Blood & Associates, in partnership with the Centre for Housing Policy at the University of York, to carry out this research.
The research comprised a snapshot survey of 2119 individuals living in supported housing projects for working age adults on 1 August 2022, alongside in-depth, qualitative interviews with 30 professionals working within the sector.
Chaired by Lord Best and sponsored by Riverside and Places for People, this research explores how housing, planning and community design can help create stronger connections between generations while responding to the needs of an ageing population.
Key points:
- Commissioned by the APPG on Housing and Care for Older People and launched in March 2025.
- Explores how communities can support people of all ages to live well together.
- Examines the need for more housing suitable for an ageing population.
- Highlights the health, wellbeing and social benefits of intergenerational living.
- Showcases design principles that promote connection, accessibility and inclusion.
Builds on the HAPPI principles and introduces new Intergenerational HAPPI features. - Sets out 50 recommendations for policymakers, planners, commissioners, developers and housing providers.
The final report, published in March 2026, provides evidence-based recommendations to help shape inclusive, adaptable communities that enable people of different generations to live, interact and thrive together.
Traumatised system: Original report
Over the last decade the UK homelessness sector has faced significant funding cuts, changes in how services are commissioned, and the introduction of significant new legislation alongside reforms in connected public services.
This research from Imogen Blood Associates with Professor Nicholas Pleace from the University of York’s Centre for Housing Policy draws on direct testimony from commissioners of homelessness services to identify some of the key impacts on the homelessness sector.
The report covers:
- The National Policy context for homelessness services and supported housing
- The effects on commissioners and providers of being asked to do ‘more with less’
- Variations in how services are being commissioned
- The impact of ‘Bitty short-term funding’ for rough sleepers
- Factors which are enabling and sustaining innovation.
The report concludes by making recommendations across 5 key areas about what is needed de-traumatise the system.
A Traumatised System: A critical crossroads
When the pandemic first struck, Riverside were on the brink of launching the report of a study we had commissioned from Imogen Blood & Associates and the Centre for Housing Policy at the University of York. This report examined trends in the commissioning of homelessness services by local authorities over the past decade based on conversations with local authority commissioners.
The findings built a picture of a homelessness system which had been ‘traumatised’ as a result of the direct and indirect effects of ten years of funding cuts and national policy changes.
Now, the report’s lead authors, Imogen Blood and Nicholas Pleace, have re-grouped to reflect on how a year of pandemic has impacted on the resilience of this already-traumatised system.
Their new post-script on the original report argues that we are now at a critical crossroads.
You can download this new postscript here.
In the face of further cuts, and combined with the potential for increased homelessness, there is a real risk that services are hastily de-commissioned now, simply to be replaced by new emergency shelters in the future.
We must instead seize the opportunity to work together to strengthen prevention, improve long-term housing supply, and commission sustainable, future-proof housing-led support.
Roadmap to End Veterans Homelessness
Produced by researchers at the University of York, The Roadmap to End Homelessness Amongst Veterans, provides a blueprint to ensure current and future generations of veterans have the skills and support required to avoid homelessness and establish a long-term sustainable home.
The research highlights that some veterans, particularly those who join and leave the Service at a young age, are not well enough prepared to find and maintain a home after their time in the Armed Forces.
Research into the supported housing sector’s impact on homelessness prevention, health and wellbeing
Working with the National Housing Federation and other members we wanted to better understand how supported housing specifically impacts homelessness, health and wellbeing. We also wanted to further understand the challenges that it faces and the ways in which it supports and interacts with the NHS, social care, the justice system and other public services.
Together we commissioned Imogen Blood & Associates, in partnership with the Centre for Housing Policy at the University of York, to carry out this research.
The research comprised a snapshot survey of 2119 individuals living in supported housing projects for working age adults on 1 August 2022, alongside in-depth, qualitative interviews with 30 professionals working within the sector.
APPG Inquiry: Creating Intergenerational Communities
Chaired by Lord Best and sponsored by Riverside and Places for People, this research explores how housing, planning and community design can help create stronger connections between generations while responding to the needs of an ageing population.
Key points:
- Commissioned by the APPG on Housing and Care for Older People and launched in March 2025.
- Explores how communities can support people of all ages to live well together.
- Examines the need for more housing suitable for an ageing population.
- Highlights the health, wellbeing and social benefits of intergenerational living.
- Showcases design principles that promote connection, accessibility and inclusion.
Builds on the HAPPI principles and introduces new Intergenerational HAPPI features. - Sets out 50 recommendations for policymakers, planners, commissioners, developers and housing providers.
The final report, published in March 2026, provides evidence-based recommendations to help shape inclusive, adaptable communities that enable people of different generations to live, interact and thrive together.