Design Council launches its principles and recommendations for local areas working in partnership to support homelessness in a with-COVID-19 world

At the beginning of June 2020, Design Council, funded by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation held a virtual workshop to consider how unused or vacant property that has become available due to the COVID-19 crisis might be repurposed into high quality supported accommodation, which can both reduce rough sleeping and prevent longer-term homelessness.

Based on the workshop discussions, Design Council today launched our report setting out principles and recommendations for local areas working in partnership to support homelessness prevention in a with-COVID-19 world. The report sets out recommendations for a network of quality accommodation and an associated network of services that supports people living across a place. The report also puts forward a set principles that might guide how partners work together.

The launch of this report coincides with the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government’s announcement of their Next Steps Accommodation Programme. This £266 million funding programme is a once in a generation opportunity to tackle homelessness and to help ensure some of the most vulnerable continue to have a roof over their heads.   

Our report is intended to accompany this funding guidance. It promotes co-production and provides a set of principles, recommendations and inspiring ideas to ensure property brought forward is of high quality, appropriately supported and remains sustainable.

The virtual workshop space, along with a list of all workshop delegates can be viewed here.