Influencing Change
Homelessness is not inevitable. It is often the result of preventable challenges such as poverty, trauma, inequality, relationship breakdown and gaps between services. That's why Cyrenians works not only to support people facing homelessness, but to change the systems that contribute to it.
This year, we continued to champion a public health approach to homelessness prevention, working alongside politicians, policymakers, public services and partners across Scotland to promote earlier intervention and long-term solutions.
Six months before the Scottish General Election, we launched our first Manifesto for Ending Homelessness, drawing on more than five decades of frontline experience and the insights of people with lived experience of homelessness. The manifesto called for action to strengthen prevention by:
- Improving how homelessness data is collected and shared
- Creating long-term funding for prevention and early intervention services
- Strengthening how homelessness prevention is evaluated and understood
- Investing in community-based and supported housing options for people most at risk
The manifesto was launched with support from Scotland's housing sector and policymakers, helping to bring homelessness prevention further into national debate. Ahead of the election, one of our key recommendations, the creation of a Homelessness Prevention Fund, was reflected in political commitments.
We have also continued to work closely with partners including Public Health Scotland and Homeless Network Scotland, helping to shape approaches that recognise homelessness as a complex social issue connected to health, poverty, trauma and inequality. By bringing services, communities and decision-makers together, we are helping to build systems that respond earlier and work better for people.
As Scotland prepares to implement new homelessness prevention legislation, Cyrenians is playing an active role in Ask and Act pilot programmes. These pilots are testing how responsibility for preventing homelessness can be shared across public services, ensuring people receive support before they reach crisis point.
People with lived experience remain at the heart of our influencing work. Through our involvement in All in For Change, the Scottish Frontline Network, and our new Catalyst for Change programme, we are creating opportunities for people to shape policy, challenge decision-makers and champion the changes they want to see. This year, young people involved in Catalyst for Change designed and led Pizza & Politics workshops, helping their peers understand the political process, engage with decision-makers and have their voices heard ahead of the Scottish elections.
Because lasting change happens when the experiences of those most affected help shape the policies designed to support them.