With over 2.2 million people experiencing homelessness in a given year, the issue remains a persistent challenge in OECD and EU countries. Organised around nine building blocks, this Toolkit helps policy makers design and implement strategies to combat homelessness. It provides guidance in policy design, in how to engage stakeholders, strengthen the evidence base, and embed systematic monitoring and evaluation into homelessness policy making. The Toolkit stresses the need to shift policy focus towards prevention, the provision of tailored, low-barrier services, and long-term housing solutions, rather than relying on short-term emergency responses. Finally, it addresses key dimensions of policy delivery, including establishing more sustainable funding and financing streams, strengthening the capacity of front-line service providers, and building political support for policy reform. Each building block presents the latest research and proposes guidance and good practice examples to inspire policy makers and service providers to replicate what works.

Table of contents:

• Executive summary p.6
• How to use this Toolkit p.9

1. Strategies, stakeholders and inclusion p.18
2. Measurement: Definitions, data and drivers p.34
3. Monitoring and evaluation p.52
4. Prioritising prevention p.61
5. Long-term housing solutions: Housing-led and Housing First p.81
6. Low-barrier, tailored services p.97
7. Funding and finance p.115
8. Leadership, co-ordination and capacity p.134
9. The political economy of reform p.145
10. Conclusion p.156