“At a time of severely strained public finances, we are keen to learn whether we can use money more effectively and more efficiently to tackle deep-rooted societal problems like homelessness. What we’re trying to understand is the boundary conditions for cash transfers. When does it work? For whom does it work? What are the amounts you need to give people in order to make it work?”
Professor Michael Sanders, Director of the Experimental Government Team in the King's Policy Institute
25 November 2024
King's researchers to evaluate personalised budgets for people experiencing homeless in first major UK trial
The study will involve 360 people in England and Wales
A major new trial led by King’s researchers will establish whether giving financial support to people experiencing homelessness can help improve health and wellbeing as well as helping them to achieve housing security.
The study will recruit 360 people in England and Wales, with half continuing to receive their current level of support from frontline charities and the other half receiving extra financial assistance through the charity Greater Change, where key workers will hold and spend money on behalf of participants. Direct cash transfers are not made to avoid any interruption to benefits payments.
Led by Professor Michael Sanders, Director of the Experimental Government Team in the King’s Policy Institute, and carried out with the Centre for Homelessness Impact, the study represents one of the first large-scale trials of financial support programmes for people who are homeless in the UK.
While smaller trials have previously been conducted in the UK, much relevant evidence comes from cash transfer programmes in from low- and middle-income countries. “There are a lot of people interested to find out if we can we do it here? Does this kind of financial support work in a developed country?” said Prof Sanders.
The researchers also have a number of similar studies underway involving a range of different groups – for example, those judged to be at risk of becoming homeless and people living in temporary accommodation.
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Professor of Public Policy