We're all responsible for stemming the rising tide of homelessness | Housing network | Guardian Professional

We're all responsible for stemming the rising tide of homelessness | Housing network | Guardian Professional

Someone who has experienced being homeless recently said to me: "The point of intervention has to come when someone calls for help." All too often that comes to late; vulnerable people only get the help they need when they have hit rock bottom. "You're already in a bad position, but you find it has to get worse so you can fit into a box to actually get help," he explained.
It was with some anticipation that we awaited the publication of Making Every Contact Count, the government's long-awaited strategy for preventing homelessness.
Research from Heriot Watt University has shown that six out of 10 adults using homelessness and other specialist services have spent time in prison, social care or other institutions before becoming homeless. Before people seek help from homelessness agencies, individuals have often already been in long-term contact with mental health, drug, criminal justice or social care services. Our own research shows that over half of new rough sleepers will have approached