Editor's note: This brief was summarised by The Property AI Newsroom from a report by Gov.UK Housing. Read the original article for full details.

Government Programme Improves Support for People Facing Multiple Disadvantage

Policy Lab collaborated with the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government’s (MHCLG) Changing Futures programme to improve services for people experiencing multiple disadvantage. The initiative focused on enabling more flexible, person-centred frontline delivery across 15 local partnerships in England.

People facing multiple disadvantage often require support from several public services at once, including housing, health, justice, and welfare. The report notes that when these services operate separately, individuals can experience fragmented or inconsistent support.

The Changing Futures programme, funded by HM Treasury’s Shared Outcomes Fund, aimed to address this challenge by encouraging collaboration between central government and local partners. Policy Lab’s involvement included working directly with people who have lived experience of multiple disadvantage, who helped co-design the approach and shape the direction of the project.

A key outcome was the development of practical tools, such as a workshop toolkit, which was rolled out across all 15 Changing Futures partnerships. The project also used filmed ethnographic research involving 29 participants in Greater London, the East Midlands, and the Northeast. These films were shared across government and the partnerships to provide a deeper understanding of people’s experiences.

The work led to strengthened collaboration across departments and sectors, and contributed to the evidence base that shaped the programme’s forward strategy. This strategy secured further funding from HM Treasury’s Shared Outcomes Fund.

For letting agents and inventory clerks, the report highlights the importance of joined-up services in supporting tenants who may be experiencing multiple disadvantage, including homelessness and other complex needs. Improved collaboration between housing and other public services may help reduce gaps in support for vulnerable individuals.