Homelessness Services: An update on The Salvation Army's strategy

Nathan Slinn outlines the progress made with the Homelessness Services Department’s 1,000 Voices strategy, launched in 2023.

Homelessness Services continues to move forward with 1,000 Voices, our discerned 10-year strategy for the future of Homelessness Services across the UK and Ireland Territory. Shaped by the voices of people with lived experience, frontline colleagues, corps, divisions, partners and stakeholders, the strategy reflects our belief that God speaks through people and calls us to play our part in reducing, preventing and ending homelessness.

At the heart of this work is a simple belief: Homelessness Services are not separate from the mission of The Salvation Army; they are an expression of it. We believe every person is made in the image of God and has intrinsic value, worthy of dignity, belonging, hope and the opportunity to flourish. Our role is not only to provide accommodation and support, but also to walk alongside people as they rebuild their lives, find community and discover a sense of purpose and belonging.

Three years on from launching 1,000 Voices, it’s encouraging to see how the strategy is taking shape in practice. The conversations, listening and discernment that helped form the strategy are now influencing the way we support people, work alongside corps and divisions, develop new services and strengthen our mission. While there is still much to do, we’re beginning to see the outworking of that shared vision across Homelessness Services.

A unique contribution

At our 2026 Homelessness Conference, we heard inspiring stories of transformation in people, practice and places, reminding us that behind every strategy, project or service are real people whose lives are being impacted. It was wonderful to hear examples of people rebuilding their lives, services finding new and creative ways to offer support, and communities coming together around a shared vision. The conference was also a celebration of the incredible people who make this work possible: colleagues, volunteers, chaplains, corps members and people with lived experience. Their dedication, creativity and compassion are at the heart of Homelessness Services and are a powerful demonstration of 1,000 Voices in action.

The stories we heard at the conference also reminded us of the unique contribution The Salvation Army brings to the homelessness sector. As a Christian service provider, we have an important voice and perspective to share. This is not about working in opposition to others or competing with organisations that share our commitment to ending homelessness. Rather, it is about working in partnership, recognising the value each organisation brings, while also being confident in the distinct contribution that comes from our Christian faith, values and mission.

We seek to demonstrate that practical support and spiritual care can work hand in hand, offering not only accommodation and support, but also opportunities for belonging, hope and transformation.

Integrated mission

One of the most significant developments since launching 1,000 Voices has been the growth of our culture and mission. We have strengthened relationships with corps and divisions, expanded chaplaincy provision, and placed a greater emphasis on integrated mission. More than ever, we want our services to be places where people feel welcomed, valued and connected.

Our commitment to trauma-informed and strengths-based practice also continues to shape everything we do. We know that many people experiencing homelessness have faced significant challenges and adversity. Rather than focusing on what people lack, we seek to recognise strengths, build trust and create opportunities for people to move forward with confidence and hope. This approach influences how we support people, develop our services and care for each other.

Focusing on prevention

Looking ahead, a major focus is homelessness prevention. Too often, help arrives only after someone has reached crisis point. To help change that, we are developing a proposal for a network of homelessness prevention coordinators across the United Kingdom and Ireland. These colleagues will work alongside corps, divisions and community partners to identify housing issues earlier, strengthen local responses and help people access the support they need before homelessness occurs.

We are also progressing plans to create 100 self-referral direct access bed spaces across our services. This work is already under way, with more than 60 bed spaces currently in the process of coming online across Homelessness Services. The aim is to make it easier for people to access support when they need it, especially for those who may struggle to navigate traditional referral routes. Importantly, these bed spaces will also provide an option for people who fall outside statutory provision and find themselves with very limited choices, despite being in genuine need of support.

By creating a clearer and more accessible route into services, we hope to ensure that fewer people are left without help simply because they do not meet eligibility thresholds or fit within existing pathways. For corps, this will provide a clearer route into Homelessness Services while creating more opportunities to offer practical, pastoral and community-based support to people facing homelessness.

Working together

One of the great strengths of The Salvation Army is the difference we can make when we work together. Across the territory, corps, Homelessness Services, divisions, chaplaincy and community programmes are supporting people experiencing housing insecurity and homelessness in a variety of ways. Our reach and impact grow when we combine our gifts, resources and expertise. This includes the work the Public Affairs Unit does to campaign against injustice and lobby for systemic change, for example the repealing of the Vagrancy Act in June 2026.

Whether through practical support, pastoral care, community building, advocacy or creating opportunities for belonging, every expression of The Salvation Army contributes to this shared mission. By listening, working in partnership and focusing on prevention as well as support, we hope to help create communities where people can experience compassion, dignity, belonging, restoration and fullness of life with Jesus.