Homelessness Research Programme

Introducing the programme

The Homelessness Research Programme (HRP) is based in the NIHR Policy Research Unit Health and Social Care Workforce (HSCWRU) at King’s College London and brings together leading researchers in the field.

Ongoing projects include a study of self-neglect among homeless people and the role of adult safeguarding. Two short follow-on projects started in late 2022: one on the social work role, and one on approaches to mental capacity in this field. In 2023, we are also asking how multiple exclusion homelessness is addressed in social work education in England. An allied project engages people with experience of homelessness in the production of a short film.   

Also ongoing is an evaluation of current out-of-hospital care models. This grew out of a major study of hospital discharge arrangements for those experiencing homelessness (final report, October 2021). These studies are/were all led by Dr Michelle Cornes, who earlier undertook an analysis of Multiple Exclusion Homelessness and the utility of Communities of Practice.

Running from 2023-26 and involving HRP researchers is a major collaborative study Housing Model Evaluation (HOME) which asks: What are the health impacts of housing-led systems that provide housing plus intensive forms of support for people with histories of chronic/repeat homelessness?

Nearing completion is the HEARTH study, led by Maureen Crane, which has examined primary health care for people who are homeless. Dr Crane also led the groundbreaking longitudinal study of single homeless people who have been resettled (Rebuilding Lives) and was co-investigator on a completed study assessing the services for older people who are homeless and have memory problems.

Programme aims

• To contribute to theory development, by exploring the causes of homelessness and the ways in which it can be prevented.
• To understand better the needs and circumstances of homeless and formerly homeless people.
• To influence policy development on the prevention and alleviation of homelessness, and the improvement of services for homeless and formerly homeless people.

Our webinar series

We run a webinar series on homelessness. It is free to attend and open to the general public. Please contact Jess Harris if you are interested in speaking about your research or innovative practice at this series.