"Light at the end of the tunnel" - clients help government trial new homelessness support

The trial is looking into the effects of giving people who are homeless more financial support. Some of our clients were randomly chosen to receive budgets of up to £4,000, which could be spent with the help of their support worker.

This has enabled them to clear longstanding debts, furnish new homes, fund new career moves and, in one case, get married.

It’s been part of a randomised controlled trial which compares outcomes from people who receive financial support via personalised budgets with those from an otherwise identical group who don’t. Porchlight is one of 54 organisations involved. The trial is being funded by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government and led by the Centre for Homelessness Impact.

To mark the end of this trial, our clients shared their stories at a special event. It was attended by members of the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, the Centre for Homelessness Impact and local politicians.

Colin

Colin’s anxiety about longstanding debts led to him developing depression. He was living in temporary accommodation and feared the debts would prevent him from moving forward with his life.

“I owed rent arrears and some old court fines for unpaid train tickets. I was always worried about where I’d find the money to pay for these things. It would play on my mind and I was getting depressed. This money allowed me to pay them off – it saved me a lot of stress. Now I have a job and my debts are up to date. Things are much better.”

Kim

Kim is using her money to study civil law. She would eventually like to help other people who are homeless.

“When you’re homeless, it’s like you’ve been put at the back of the queue. There’s no stability, which makes you more likely to turn to unhealthy coping mechanisms like drugs. But when you know someone’s helping you, you’re more likely to try and make a change. When I was awarded this money, it was overwhelming. £4,000 is a lot of money to people like us – I felt like I’d won the lottery. I bought a phone, laptop and printer so I can do a college course. I want to do civil law so I can advocate for people who are homeless. Getting this money gives you hope.”

Sarah

Sarah has reconnected with her children and grandchildren. The money enabled her to furnish a new home where they can come and visit.

“I lost my kids a long time ago… I was in addiction and had to claw my way out. If it wasn't for Porchlight I wouldn't be housed, but there are rules around the ages of people who can come and visit. Porchlight helped me get a place of my own. And when I was awarded this money, I was able to kit it out – I could choose what I wanted. I could make it feel like home. Getting the money has allowed me to do the final bits to my new home that mean I get to see them and my grandkids more. My kids haven't had me for a long time. They have me now and you can’t ask for anything more than that.”

Robin

Robin will use the money to train as a therapist. She’s currently living in a Porchlight property, having previously spent months sleeping in her car.

“I became homeless after being bullied out of a job. I got a settlement but it ran out after five months and I ended up living in my car. At the same time, my computer died making it difficult to get into work or education. Being awarded this money was an amazing surprise – it opens up a lot of opportunities. I spent it on a PC which I’ll use when training to become a therapist - something I’ve always wanted to do. Having this money and autonomy over how to spent it makes you feel like an adult again. You have to give people an opportunity to feel human again.”

This was part of a larger three-year Test & Learn programme run by the Centre for Homelessness Impact and commissioned by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government.

The aim is to explore new ways of supporting people who are experiencing homelessness or preventing it from happening to them altogether. It could enable better policymaking in the future and enable resources to be better targeted to support more people more effectively.

The results from the personalised budgets trial will be evaluated by King's College London, with interim findings expected in Autumn 2025.