Local authority spending on homelessness: 2020 update

This research by WPI Economics, on behalf of St Mungo’s and Homeless Link, shows that last year, councils in England spent nearly £1 billion less on services supporting single homeless people compared to a decade ago.

The expenditure on single homelessness – households which do not contain any dependent children, including multi-adult households – has been particularly impacted by reductions in spending, as prior to the HRA, most single households were not owed a duty. In 2018/19, nearly £1 billion less was spent on support services (Supporting People, prevention and support) for single homeless people than was spent in 2008/9.