I-Sphere

An internationally renowned award has been presented to a research group whose work prompted a step-change in the UK Government’s approach to extreme disadvantage. 

Following the publication of the policy briefing on homelessness prevention in the UK early this year, Prof Suzanne Fitzpatrick, Dr Peter Mackie, and Dr Jenny Wood reflect on the emerging impact of this CaCHE analysis.

Heriot-Watt University has been announced as a recipient of a prestigious Queen’s Anniversary Prize in recognition of the work of its Institute for Social Policy, Housing, Equalities Research (I-SPHERE), an institute that has brought new impetus to UK and international efforts to address extre

I-SPHERE Professor Sarah Johnsen describes how a flexible and relational approach helps to overcome many of the barriers that homeless people face when accessing healthcare.  As policy interest in inclusion health has escalated, there has been increased recognition that existing healthcare ser

Prof. Sarah Johnsen from Heriot-Watt University describes four key ingredients that make Housing First work. There continues to be increasing quantitative evidence of an over-representation of Adverse Childhood Experience (ACE) amongst homeless populations, which corroborates the findings of years o

Institute for Social Policy, Housing, Equalities Research (I-SPHERE) director Professor Suzanne Fitzpatrick provided oral evidence this week to the UK Parliament’s work and pensions committee on its inquiry into the welfare safety net. Drawing on I-SPHERE’s work on Destitution in th

Following the release of a new I-SPHERE report examining temporary accommodation provision in Scotland, Beth Watts picks out some of the key themes from the research. This week, Scottish Government will publish a plan seeking to end homelessness in Scotland. This ambition, announced last year, saw t

A ‘supported lodgings’ model must be introduced in Scotland to urgently address youth homelessness and reduce reliance on hostel and B&B accommodation, a new report has found. While levels of youth homelessness have been falling in recent years in Scotland, 16-24 year olds remain heavily ove

A new I-SPHERE report reveals how housing associations and local authorities in England are using Fixed Term Tenancies. Beth Watts shares the main findings and reflects on their implications for the social housing sector. Since 2012, social landlords in England have been permitted to offer fixed ter

Dr Beth Watts What is the state of play for temporary accommodation in Scotland? In this blog, Dr Beth Watts reflects on a new I-SPHERE report and where to go next.

Professor Glen Bramley reflects on the interim report of a new study investigating housing supply requirements across Great Britain for low-income households and homeless people, and the key policy challenges facing government and the housing sector. To the greatest extent in more than a generation,

Professor Chris Leishman reflects on whether last week’s government u-turn on housing benefit for 18 to 21-year-olds signals a return of evidence based housing policy. There is a well established connection between individuals’ experience of homelessness – particularly rough sleeping – and m

Prof Sarah Johnsen reflects on the question of why Housing First seems to be so much more effective than mainstream provision for the majority of homeless people with multiple and complex needs. I was genuinely delighted to receive an invitation to speak about ‘why Housing First works’ at Homele

New recommendations to ensure the commitment to eradicate rough sleeping in Scotland have been accepted in principle by the Scottish Government. Set out by the government’s Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Action Group, the full recommendations cover actions to prevent rough sleeping; empower front

Research is underway to find out if people with spare rooms could host homeless young people if there was a project to offer them payment, training and support in Scotland. More than 7,000 people aged between 16 and 24 years old applied for help with homelessness from Scottish local authorities in 2