The network, called ‘What Works Community’, was created by the Centre for Homelessness Impact and aims to support local government innovators across the UK.

The ‘What Works Community’ will provide a space for leading councils to develop ideas, network with peers and receive world-class guidance on improving their homelessness service.

Local authorities that participate will have be able to access information about behavioural insights, design thinking and data-informed decision making, and will benefit from one-on-one support with the Centre’s staff and a community of peers to share with and learn from.

They will also receive training and resources from Johns Hopkins University, the Behavioural Insights Team, and IDEO (a non-profit design and innovation company).

The community is the first of its kind in the UK and follows a successful pilot programme run by the Centre for Homelessness Impact and three founding local authorities in 2019/20. The pilot programme focussed on tackling local issues in the private rented sector.

BCP Council lead member for Homelessness, Councillor Hazel Allen, said, “We are delighted to be involved in this initiative. We know that we are not alone with the issues of homelessness locally, this is a national concern affecting people across the whole country and finding solutions to how best to tackle the issues can only be achieved with knowledge sharing and evidence and applying that locally.”

CEO of the Centre for Homelessness Impact, Dr Ligia Teixeira, said, “I am delighted to welcome all of the local authorities into the latest ‘What Works Community’ cohort. By joining the programme they are showing a true dedication to effective programme solving and improving outcomes for everyone in their communities.

“The needs of local authorities are as diverse as the communities they represent and we’re excited to be working with a variety of new councils who bring unique challenges to the table.

“What they all have in common is their commitment to improving the lives of their citizens and an understanding that making more effective use of data and evidence can aid them in their goals.”