Homelessness is a growing crisis worldwide, affecting millions across different social and economic backgrounds. In the UK, rough sleeping has surged in recent years: rents have risen, there’s a shortage of social housing, and the cost-of-living crisis has pushed more people into precarious living situations. While the UK government has invested in emergency accommodation and temporary shelters, many argue these are short-term fixes. What’s UK missing?
Elsewhere, several countries have implemented innovative, long-term strategies that could offer valuable lessons for the UK.
One of the most compelling approaches is Housing First, a model Canada has successfully implemented through the At Home/Chez Soi project. Unlike traditional programmes that require individuals to meet certain conditions before receiving permanent accommodation, Housing First prioritises stable housing as the first step, providing wraparound support such as mental health services and job training afterwards. The results speak for themselves: 73% of participants remained housed after four years, significantly outperforming traditional support systems.
The UK has trialled similar programs in Manchester and Glasgow, yet investment remains limited. A nationwide commitment to Housing First could offer a more cost-effective and humane solution to chronic homelessness.
In New Zealand, a different but equally impactful strategy has emerged through Māori-led housing initiatives. With indigenous Māori communities disproportionately affected by homelessness due to historical land dispossession and systemic inequalities, grassroots movements have stepped in to create culturally tailored housing solutions. One notable example is Te Puea Memorial Marae in Auckland, which provides emergency accommodation while integrating principles of hospitality and long-term care rooted in Māori traditions. The UK has its own marginalised groups, including migrants and people from ethnic minority backgrounds, who often face additional barriers to stable housing. Learning from New Zealand’s model, UK policymakers could develop culturally sensitive housing programs that address these specific challenges.
Japan, despite its densely populated cities, has managed to maintain relatively low levels of visible homelessness by repurposing unconventional spaces. A significant number of people experiencing homelessness in Tokyo take refuge in 24-hour internet cafés and capsule hotels, often referred to as “net café refugees.” Recognising this, local governments have introduced subsidised housing schemes to transition people into more stable accommodation. While this is not a perfect solution, it highlights an important point: existing infrastructure can be creatively adapted to tackle housing insecurity. In the UK, thousands of commercial buildings and vacant properties sit empty while homelessness rates rise. A more ambitious approach to repurposing underutilised spaces could provide immediate relief for those without shelter.
In Australia, modular housing has emerged as a promising solution to the housing crisis. The Harris Transportable Housing Project in Melbourne builds prefabricated homes on unused public land, providing a rapid and cost-effective response to rough sleeping. This model bypasses many of the bureaucratic hurdles associated with traditional social housing construction, allowing for quick deployment. With the UK facing a severe social housing shortage and delays in new builds, modular housing could be a viable alternative, particularly in cities with high homelessness rates.
The United States, where homelessness is a long-standing issue, has also seen the rise of innovative community-driven solutions. Tiny home villages, such as the Community First! Village in Texas, provide permanent housing in small, self-contained units, alongside on-site mental health services, job training, and addiction recovery programs. Additionally, advancements in 3D-printed housing are beginning to revolutionise affordable homebuilding, with entire homes being constructed in just 24 hours at a fraction of traditional costs. In the UK, where high construction costs often delay affordable housing projects, exploring new building technologies like 3D printing could significantly accelerate housing supply.
These global initiatives reinforce a crucial message: homelessness is not inevitable. In the UK, existing strategies tend to focus on managing homelessness rather than preventing it. A shift towards permanent housing solutions, investment in alternative housing models, and greater flexibility in utilising available spaces could transform the country’s approach. While no single solution will fit all circumstances, drawing on international successes provides a roadmap for more effective and compassionate policies. The challenge now is whether the UK has the political will to embrace these ideas and turn them into action.
AI tools were used in the production of this article. Le Chat assisted in generating potential story angles and sourcing relevant materials. ChatGPT was used to structure, write, and refine the article. Perplexity AI was utilised for fact-checking. MidJourney was used for image generation. All AI-generated outputs were critically evaluated, fact-checked, and edited by the journalist to ensure accuracy and journalistic integrity.
