Ending homelessness: moving from crisis response to prevention

23 Jun 2026
The London Theatre - Charter 1
The London Theatre - delegate only - Charter 1

London is at the centre of a national homelessness crisis. The capital accounts for  56% of all homeless households in England, while one in 50 Londoners (including 1 in 21 children) are estimated to be homeless and living in temporary accommodation arranged by their council. 

Ending homelessness is not the responsibility of any single organisation, but a collective effort that depends on partnership, innovation, and long-term thinking. This session will explore how key stakeholders are coming together to move beyond crisis response and fundamentally reshape how homelessness is prevented and resolved.

Drawing on insights from the London Ending Homelessness Accelerator, research into temporary accommodation and practical learning from what’s already working well, the discussion will explore how more effective joint working, clearer pathways and smarter use of existing stock can improve stability and outcomes for households.

The panel will explore how key stakeholders including local authorities, housing associations and charities can help shift the system upstream toward prevention.

Chair
Peter Apps
Peter Apps, Contributing editor, Inside Housing
Speakers
Mel Barrett
Mel Barrett, Chief executive, MTVH
Jamie Carswell
Jamie Carswell, Deputy chief executive & director of housing and safer communities, Royal Borough of Greenwich
Samantha Grix
Samantha Grix, Partner, Devonshires
Stephanie Pollitt
Stephanie Pollitt, Programme director, housing, BusinessLDN
Dr Lígia Teixeira
Dr Lígia Teixeira, Chief executive officer, Centre for Homelessness Impact