Ending rough sleeping together
Street homelessness, or ‘rough sleeping’ as it is commonly called, is deeply damaging to those experiencing it and to society at large. We have seen what can be achieved when all partners work together, and we can create lasting change.
The Kerslake Commission on Homelessness and Rough Sleeping was established in 2021 to examine the lessons from the emergency response which supported people sleeping rough during the Covid-19 pandemic.
It works with the Government, and other partners and agencies, to achieve the recommendations set out in its reports, to monitor the direction of rough sleeping more widely, and drive changes that will help to end rough sleeping within this Parliament.
About the Kerslake Commission
At the start of the first wave of the Covid-19 pandemic in March 2020, the Government launched the Everyone In initiative, which sought to ensure that anyone who was sleeping on the streets was immediately provided with safe and secure accommodation. Government estimates show that there was a 90% success rate in achieving this and there is widespread agreement that the initiative saved many lives amongst those who were rough sleeping. Research conducted by UCL and published in The Lancet confirmed that during the first wave, 266 deaths were avoided, with 1,164 hospital and 338 ICU admissions also avoided.
This involved unprecedented collaboration between government at central, regional and local levels, alongside work between health and local authority housing colleagues to identify health and housing options for clients in real time. This resulted in immediate assessment of their health needs and positive moves for many clients.
The Kerslake Commission was established to ensure that the positive lessons of the emergency response and the Everyone In principles of joint working are continued.
Submissions from
The Kerslake Commission on Homelessness and Rough Sleeping
The Commission was steered and directed by Lord Kerslake until his untimely passing in July 2023.
This independent Commission was set up to learn what worked and why for rough sleeping provision and policy during the pandemic, and use this learning to provide a roadmap for ending rough sleeping.
The Commission was launched in March 2021 and is made up of an advisory board with representatives from health, housing, homelessness, Local Authorities and people with lived experience. The Advisory Board has met five times and has been informed by an extensive evidence gathering, which invited organisations to submit their views on what did and didn’t work well for rough sleeping policy and provision during the pandemic.
The Kerslake Commission on Homelessness and Rough Sleeping
The Commission was steered and directed by Lord Kerslake until his untimely passing in July 2023. This independent Commission was set up to learn what worked and why for rough sleeping provision and policy during the pandemic, and use this learning to provide a roadmap for ending rough sleeping.
The Commission was launched in March 2021 and is made up of an advisory board with representatives from health, housing, homelessness, Local Authorities and people with lived experience. The Advisory Board has met five times and has been informed by an extensive evidence gathering, which invited organisations to submit their views on what did and didn’t work well for rough sleeping policy and provision during the pandemic.
In total, more than 90 organisations and individuals have contributed to evidence gathering through surveys, focus groups and bilateral meetings, and over 100 submissions have been received across public agencies, including health, involved in rough sleeping; across service providers and policy makers; local and regional government; homeless charities; housing associations and people with lived experience.
Latest news
Remembering Steve Douglas
Steve Douglas CBE, who was a founding member and advisor to the Kerslake Commission, sadly died suddenly on 8th May 2022. Steve brought knowledge and
Kerslake Commission reacts to Annual Rough Sleeping Snapshot statistics
Lord Kerslake: ‘Government must maintain impetus to end rough sleeping’ The Kerslake Commission on Homelessness and Rough Sleeping has urged the Government to maintain the
Our members
Get in touch
For further information about the Commission please contact Kerslake.commission@mungos.org.
