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. 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.

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.

Members

Elizabeth Biswell

Research Fellow

Stan Burridge

Expert Focus

Gaia Cetrano

Visiting Research Fellow

Michael Clark

Associate Professorial Research Fellow, London School of Economics

Jo Coombes

Expert Focus

Michelle Cornes

Visiting Professor

Maureen Crane

Visiting Reader in Applied Social Research

Jess Harris

Research Fellow

Louise Joly

Visiting Research Fellow

Jill Manthorpe

Professor of Social Work

Stephen Martineau

Research Fellow

Bruno Ornelas

Head of Homelessness, Concrete

Janet Robinson

Research Administrator

Michela Tinelli

Assistant Professorial Research Fellow, London School of Economics

Raphael Wittenberg

Associate Professorial Research Fellow, London School of Economics

Effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of 'Usual Care' versus 'Specialist Integrated Care': A comparative study of hospital discharge arrangements for homeless people in England

In this completed study, we explored different types of specialist services for homeless people leaving hospital.

Evaluation of the Out-of-Hospital Care Models programme for people experiencing homelessness

This ongoing evaluation seeks to capture the learning from test sites for the OOHCM programme and to evidence the outcomes that are being achieved.

Evidencing the social work role within responses to multiple exclusion homelessness

This short project builds on Unit work on homelessness and self-neglect

Examining mental capacity approaches to multiple exclusion homelessness

This short project builds on Unit work on homelessness and self-neglect

HEARTH study. Delivering primary health care to homeless people: An evaluation of the integration, effectiveness and costs of different models

This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of the different models of primary health care for people who are homeless.

Just another form of exclusion? Carrying out research with people experiencing multiple exclusion homelessness

A short film in which individuals with lived experience discuss being involved in research about multiple exclusion homelessness

Opening the "too difficult box": Strengthening adult safeguarding responses to homelessness and self-neglect

Exploring how self-neglect is experienced by people who are homeless, and how this can be addressed by strengthening local adult safeguarding responses.

Rebuilding Lives: Supporting formerly homeless people to achieve independent living

The completed Rebuilding Lives study examined the experiences and longer-term outcomes for single homeless people who have been resettled.

Rethinking multiple exclusion homelessness: Implications for workforce development and interprofessional practice

We explored interprofessional working and workforce development in a context of providing support to people with experience of multiple exclusion homelessness.

Service provision for older homeless people with memory problems

This completed study investigated memory problems among older homeless people (aged 50+) and the services that they receive and need.

Safeguarding, homelessness and rough sleeping: An analysis of Safeguarding Adults Reviews

Examination of 14 SARs where homelessness was a factor

Report (2019) by Stephen Martineau et al.

'Opening the door' to employment in healthcare

People with lived experience of homelessness working in the NHS

Evaluation report (2023) by Prof Ian Kessler

A bench with a person's belongings on and about it

Debating homelessness topics

This series of webinars on different aspects of homelessness is open to all.

Homelessness series

Homelessness on the blog

Read all the posts on homelessness. Pictured: Darren O’Shea (1977-2021).

Health and Social Care Workforce Blog

News from the programme

Read about the impact and influence of our research.

Homelessness Research Programme news

Our partners

London School of Economics

Homelessness Research Programme

Introducing the programme

Programme aims

Our webinar series

Members

Effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of 'Usual Care' versus 'Specialist Integrated Care': A comparative study of hospital discharge arrangements for homeless people in England

Evaluation of the Out-of-Hospital Care Models programme for people experiencing homelessness

Evidencing the social work role within responses to multiple exclusion homelessness

Examining mental capacity approaches to multiple exclusion homelessness

HEARTH study. Delivering primary health care to homeless people: An evaluation of the integration, effectiveness and costs of different models

Just another form of exclusion? Carrying out research with people experiencing multiple exclusion homelessness

Opening the "too difficult box": Strengthening adult safeguarding responses to homelessness and self-neglect

Rebuilding Lives: Supporting formerly homeless people to achieve independent living

Rethinking multiple exclusion homelessness: Implications for workforce development and interprofessional practice

Service provision for older homeless people with memory problems

Safeguarding, homelessness and rough sleeping: An analysis of Safeguarding Adults Reviews

'Opening the door' to employment in healthcare

Debating homelessness topics

Homelessness on the blog

News from the programme

Our partners

Group leads

Latest news

Upcoming events