Credit: Clay LeConey
Helping people who are homeless is not something that can be fixed quickly.
A major UK government-backed programme, evaluated by Ipsos, shows that meaningful progress in helping people experiencing rough sleeping does not happen overnight.
Homelessness is not just about lacking a place to stay. Many people who are homeless also struggle with drug or alcohol addiction, mental health issues, and past trauma.
Because of this, they often find it difficult to attend appointments, trust services, or stay in treatment. Some may even reject help because of fear or bad past experiences.
This makes it much harder to support them compared to typical cases.
Why Progress Was Slow at the Start
The programme, backed by £262 million in funding, aimed to improve treatment, reduce homelessness, and lower drug-related deaths.
But in the first few years, results were limited.
This is because services had to first build trust with people, reach those living on the streets and adjust how support was delivered
At the same time, there were not enough trained workers, which slowed down progress.
So even though work was happening, it did not immediately show in the numbers.
Instead of focusing on easier cases, the programme targeted people with the most serious needs.
These are individuals who:
- Have long-term addiction
- Face high risk of homelessness
- Struggle the most to engage with services
Because they are harder to help, progress takes longer. But this approach ensures that support reaches those who need it the most.
After about 2.5 years, things began to improve. More people started entering treatment, and more stayed engaged with support.
There were also other positive changes such as services worked better together, staff better understood people’s needs and support became more flexible and personalised.
Helping someone recover from addiction and leave homelessness is a long process. It involves rebuilding trust and finding stable housing. These changes cannot happen overnight.
The study shows that while early results may look slow, long-term support leads to better outcomes.
The programme proves one key point: helping the homeless takes time, but it can work.
Real progress comes from:
- Patience
- Consistent support
- Understanding people’s real challenges
What looked like slow progress at the beginning is now turning into meaningful results.
Shahriena Shukri is a journalist covering business and economic news in Malaysia, providing insights on market trends, corporate developments, and financial policies. More about Shahriena Shukri
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