Caring in Bristol is backing Homeless Link’s #BreakingTheCycle campaign for a fairer funding system for homelessness services. Tomorrow is the Comprehensive Spending Review (June 11th 2025), when Government will set spending priorities for the next few years. We hope they invest in services like ours. Because with the right support we know we can be part of Breaking the Cycle of rising homelessness. And by supporting more people into safe and secure long-term homes, we can deliver long-term savings for government too.

We are part of the Homeless Link network, and their report lays out the current situation, how we got here, and crucially, what an effective way forward could look like. For this to happen, we'll need the support of government.

Homeless Link's report says:

"The homelessness system is broken. Across England, failures to prevent homelessness mean record numbers of people are living in temporary accommodation, sleeping on our streets or reliant on services like those delivered by Homeless Link members for accommodation and support.

"The Government’s commitment to housebuilding is a crucial piece of this puzzle, but it is not enough. Many people experience homelessness because of wider unmet support need including mental and physical health needs, adverse childhood experiences, or fleeing domestic abuse. Housing alone will not end their homelessness, instead holistic, person-centred support is essential.

"This support is primarily delivered through third sector ‘single homelessness’ services, who pick up support for those who don’t qualify for local authority-funded temporary accommodation including many of those on our streets. There are many issues with the cost and quality of TA, which is primarily used to house families. However, addressing these often pulls yet more resources inwards and away from non-statutory services.

"This has seen support pathways narrow as single homelessness services buckle beneath financial pressure. The funding mechanisms that should support the sector are not fit for purpose. Instead, the system is stuck in crisis mode, only able to do damage limitation rather than fix the root causes of homelessness. Sadly, it is the people in need of support who bear the consequences of this.

"We know it does not need to be this way. By redesigning the funding model, Government can invest in a system that works. This briefing outlines how to achieve this: first re-gaining control over homelessness spending, then carefully re-investing. By doing so, the country can move away from cycles of crisis, with proactive services that prevent people facing homelessness in the first place."

Read the report (PDF)

Caring in Bristol has supported many people in the city who have fallen through the gaps in the system, and who have failed to have their needs adequately met. Services are often crisis-driven, yet we know that the prevention work we deliver is highly effective, reducing trauma and costs, to both the individual and the city.

That's why we're supporting this campaign. We are Caring in Bristol, and we are #BreakingTheCycle

To join the campaign, visit the page below on the Homeless Link website to find information, resources, and actions you can take!

 Breaking the Cycle | Homeless Link