Homeless Link and Resource Information Service (RIS) launched groundbreaking independent research in the field of adult disadvantage and homelessness on 19 February 2008.

This is the first time the sector has had baseline demographic data on the state of the sector, showing the true complexity and vulnerability of the client group it supports.

Funded by Communities and Local Government (CLG) and CRASH, the research uncovers substantial amounts of data on services provided by day centres; bed spaces and use of hostels and other accommodation; the support needs of people who access homelessness services; and how these services are funded.

Some of the key messages emerging from the report include:

• Homelessness agencies are working with some of the most socially excluded individuals in our society. The majority of services estimate that most of the people they work with have multiple problems, for example drug and alcohol issues, mental health problems, benefits and debt problems.
• While the government is doing much excellent work with homelessness, these complex and vulnerable individuals are being failed by a number of services
• There is a link between the lack of settled accommodation and criminal behaviour. One fifth of projects report the majority of the people using their services were prison leavers. This group is present in the majority of homelessness services. However, less than half of projects have funding for

criminal justice services.

• Support for education, training and employment is less commonly available than other types of advice and support. Only five per cent of projects reported any level of funding from employment and education agencies.

To download the report click here